NATO fighter jets scrambled to intercept Russian military aircraft | World | News
NATO fighter jets scrambled to intercept a Russian military aircraft flying over the Baltic sea. Eurofighters from NATO were rushed into action after a Russian plane was detected over the Baltic Sea.
The jets, stationed near Malbork, Poland, on Wednesday, were seen tailing an Il-20 aircraft after it failed to respond to identification requests, according to NATO’s Allied Air Command (AIRCOM). The Alpha Scramble on Wednesday saw fighter pilots airborne within 15 minutes.
This incident comes just days after German Eurofighters intercepted a Russian aircraft also flying over the Baltic Sea near the Latvian town of Lielvarde at the weekend, the Mirror reports.
A spokesperson for NATO Air Command wrote on social media site X at around 1.18pm on Wednesday afternoon: “Eurofighters currently Air Policing out of Malbrok, had their first scramble two days ago and their second Alpha scramble yesterday. The jets intercepted a IL20 that was flying over the Baltic Sea. It was not answering to the requests of identification.”
It comes as a former NATO commander issued an urgent warning that Russia is “not ready” for war against the 32-country strong military alliance.
Despite this, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned in March that Europe is entering its “pre-war era” after NATO jets were scrambled after Russia launched an aerial attack near Ukraine‘s border with Poland.
He said: “I don’t want to scare anyone, but war is no longer a concept from the past,” he said “It’s real and it started over two years ago.”
General Sir Richard Sherriff, ex-deputy supreme allied commander of the military alliance, predicts that any future deployment of NATO troops to Ukraine would result in a direct conflict with Vladimir Putin.
Asked if NATO troops could be sent to Ukraine, Sir Richard told Times Radio: “I think it is absolutely plausible, I think Macron is absolutely right to be raising these issues….but it would carry a lot more weight if France was doing more to support Ukraine.
“If you send NATO troops to Ukraine in a combat role, that means war with Russia. And the only way you can do that is if if you are ready for war with Russia.
“And there is no way NATO is ready for war with Russia right now. The only way to deal with Russia is to show strength…the only solution therefore is to build up our armed forces to build a cast iron deterrent. There can be no appeasement.”
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