NATO has scrambled two British RAF Typhoons in order to intercept Russian spy planes and military jets over allied airspace.
The Typhoons were deployed three times in three days due to concerns over enemy aircraft leaving from Kaliningrad.
An RAF Typhoon intercepting a Russian aircraft near to Poland this weekUK Ministry of Defence © Crown Copy Right 2025
UK Ministry of Defence © Crown Copy Right 2025The secret Russian spy plane known as Ilyushin Il-20M was seen flying near to Nato airspace on multiple occasions this week[/caption]
AlamyTwo RAF Typhoon fighter jets were deployed three times in three days this week[/caption]
A number of Nato jets left from Malbork Air Base to divert away several Kremlin planes this week.
On Tuesday, the Typhoons were scrambled twice after first intercepting and identifying the secret spy plane known as Ilyushin Il-20M.
The Russian aircraft is known as a Communication and Electronic Signals Intelligence Surveillance-Reconnaissance aircraft due to its stealth abilities.
Later in the same day they were again scrambled to intercept two SU-30MKI aircraft as they also left Kaliningrad airspace.
This model of jet is a two-seater air superiority fighter aircraft, according to the Royal Air Force website.
Then on the Thursday, both RAF fighter jets were sent out again after another Ilyushin Il-20M was detected over the Baltic Sea.
The Typhoons are stationed at the base in Poland as part of the UK’s extended contribution to Nato’s enhanced Air Policing efforts in Eastern Europe.
The jets have only been at the base for a few weeks alongside aircraft from Sweden.
The combined effort to protect Europe’s borders from any future Russian invasion threat has been labelled as “Operation CHESSMAN”.
Speaking on the programs success this week, Minister for the Armed Forces Luke Pollard said: “The UK is unshakeable in its commitment to Nato.
“With Russian aggression growing and security threats on the rise, we are stepping up to reassure our Allies, deter adversaries and protect our national security through our Plan for Change.
“This mission shows our ability to operate side by side with NATO’s newest member Sweden and to defend the Alliance’s airspace wherever and whenever needed, keeping us safe at home and strong abroad.”
At the start of April, Nato had to scramble a number of fighter jets as mad Putin unleashed a barrage of nuclear-capable bombers and ballistic missiles on Ukraine.
Russia struck central Kyiv and other locations in brutal strikes involving missiles, kamikaze drones and aerial bombs.
The alliance were again made to deploy warplanes in Poland in February after a similar daunting Russian attack on Ukraine.
Europe steps up to Vlad’s violence
Europe has been pressuring Russia to accept a peace deal with Ukraine in order to allow them to recover from the three years of bloodshed.
Britain’s Sir Keir Starmer and France’s Emmanuel Macron have been leading the way in support for Ukraine in previous months.
Both have called on Putin to “stop playing games” and come to the table so ceasefire terms can be fairly hashed out.
The Kremlin has widely dismissed the calls from European leaders and instead warned their pleas and precautions will be taken as direct threats.
One of Vlad’s biggest issues is over a potential peacekeeping force being sent to Ukraine to police a peace deal.
The UK has announced it is considering sending troops to Ukraine for a number of years.
France has also revealed they may “mobilise civilians” to counter a looming Russian threat in the future.
Elsewhere, Poland and the Baltic states have started to sure up their own defences.
Warsaw has allegedly planned to deploy up to two million anti-tank mines along its borders with Belarus and Russia’s Kaliningrad region.
This would be done to protect Poland from any potential joint Russian and Belarusian invasion threat, according to the state-run news agency BelTA.
Latvia is also said to be “looking into all possible options” to help strengthen its deterrence and defense capabilities”, according to Latvian Defence Minister Andris Sprūds.
Demonstrators protest against Putin and his illegal invasion and war threats
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