RAF Typhoons scramble to intercept Russian aircraft close to Nato airspace

Royal Air Force Typhoons from 140 Expeditionary Air Wing (EAW) have intercepted Russian aircraft flying close to Nato airspace.

The RAF fighters, currently deployed to Amari Airbase in Estonia on Nato's Baltic Air Policing mission, scrambled to intercept a Russian Air Force Ilyushin Il-20 Coot-A and two Su-27 Flanker Bs flying close to Nato airspace over the Baltic Sea.

According to the RAF: "The Russian aircraft failed to comply with international norms by not liaising with the relevant Flight Information Regions (FIRs)."

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"However, they remained in international airspace and flew in a professional manner," the RAF added.

"This was a routine intercept involving from various force elements from across the EAW including 1 (F) Sqn pilots and technicians, armourers, weapons controllers and air and space operations specialists.

"Together, RAF personnel in Estonia are fulfilling 140 EAW's responsibility for securing the Baltic skies."

Russia's Ilyushin Il-20 Coot-A intelligence-gathering planes are capable of analysing military communications and signals to assist attacking aircraft or ground forces.

Earlier this month, RAF Typhoons intercepted multiple Russian aircraft twice in less than 24 hours.

On 8 June, Typhoons and Swedish Air Force Gripens were scrambled to intercept a Russian air force spy plane, being escorted by a Sukhoi Su-27 fighter aircraft flying close to Nato and Swedish airspace.

Fighter jets from RAF Lossiemouth's 140 EAW made the intercept with the Swedish jets.

On 9 June, Typhoons scrambled to intercept an AN12 'CUB' and an AN72 'COALER' which were travelling south from mainland Russia in the direction of the Kaliningrad Oblast.

The planes were not communicating with the appropriate Flight Information Regions (FIRs), but stayed in international airspace and flew professionally, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) said.

Later, the combat jets intercepted two Tupolev Tu-22M 'BACKFIRES' and two Su-30 SM FLANKER H, flying from mainland Russia over the Gulf of Finland and the Baltic Sea.

Talking after the multiple intercepts earlier this month, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: "These intercepts are a stark reminder that the RAF is always ready to defend our skies and those of our allies, while the co-ordinated action by several air forces serves as a clear demonstration of the value of our international alliances."