NATO fighter jets were scrambled to patrol airspace near the borders of the Baltic States after a Russian aircraft violated flight regulations, as reported by Lithuania’s Ministry of National Defence.

Between April 13 and 19, NATO aircraft were deployed four times to identify and intercept Russian planes. On April 13, jets were sent to identify an IL-20 aircraft flying through international airspace between the Kaliningrad region of Russia.

The aircraft was found in violation of flight regulations for operating without a transponder, flight plan, and radio contact with the Regional Air Traffic Control Centre (RATC). Another incident involved intercepting an AN-26 aircraft that lacked a flight plan, even though it had an active transponder and maintained radio communication.

Subsequent interceptions on April 14 and 15 targeted the same IL-20 aircraft and two SU-30SM jets, respectively, all breaching flight regulations while traveling to and from Russia. On April 17, NATO jets intercepted the IL-20 aircraft again, which was flying without a transponder, flight plan, and radio contact with the RSVC.

In a separate incident, Russian defense ministry’s TV channel Zvezda confirmed that NATO fighter jets shadowed Russian bombers during a sortie over international waters. The channel stated that the flights adhered to international airspace rules while being escorted by foreign fighter jets at certain points.

These events occurred amidst allegations that Finland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania allowed Ukrainian drones to use their airspace to target Russian oil ports. Sergei Shoigu, the secretary of the Russian security council, warned of Russia’s right to self-defense and issued a final caution, with Putin’s support, urging Baltic states to avoid acting against Russia with impunity.