More and more interventions by NATO fighters over the Baltic Sea. All because of Russian planes
Russian planes are increasingly flying dangerously close to NATO airspace. According to Reuters, in the first quarter of 2024, the number of interventions undertaken by fighter aircraft increased significantly for this reason.
When reporting the estimated increase in the number of flights of Russian machines, journalists cite their source in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Most of this type of incidents were recorded in the Baltic Sea region – said an anonymous informant.
Last year, jets took off more than 300 times
According to a London-based news agency, throughout 2023, jets took off more than 300 times to intervene in the case of Russian military planes that were spotted in the Baltic Sea area. In the first quarter of this year, such flights were recorded by as much as 20-25 percent. more. However, the source does not provide the exact number of Russian military flights that took place near Alliance airspace. The reason for more frequent interventions? This is most likely due to the fact that military personnel are taking part in more NATO military exercises than ever before.
Interestingly, at this point NATO pilots rarely record fighter or bomber flights (which were previously more common there). Observation or (less often) transport planes are usually seen there. What could be the reason for this? From a Reuters article we learn that the Kremlin may require the presence of military machines in Ukraine. The armed conflict there is now much more intense.
“Attention, duty ships have started operating in Polish airspace”
As we reported at the end of April, one night the Polish Army raised its fighters twice, which was related to Russia's attack on Ukraine. Anti-aircraft alerts were then announced in almost the entire war-torn country: in the Dnepropetrovsk, Ivano-Frankivsk and Lviv oblasts. They were aimed at, among others: in energy infrastructure.
“Attention, on-duty aircraft have started operating in Polish airspace, which may result in increased noise levels, especially in the south-eastern part of the country,” informed the Operational Command of the Armed Forces. However, the intervention was soon ended, after almost an hour.
