NATO had to deploy fighter jets for the third consecutive day as yet another Russian aircraft entered its airspace. The military alliance responded to reports of a spy plane flying over the Baltic Sea today. The aircraft, identified as an Ilyushin Il-20M, an older Soviet-era plane equipped with advanced intelligence technologies, was observed without a specific flight plan. These planes are commonly used for monitoring communications and air defenses. The Russian plane took off from Russia and crossed into international airspace without establishing communication or undergoing visual identification.
This incident marks the third interception by NATO in recent days, indicating a possible testing of the alliance’s readiness by the Russian government. Earlier, Russian MiG jets violated Estonian airspace, prompting a NATO response and a request from the Estonian government to activate Article 4 defense provisions for the second time in a month.
Over the weekend, Poland intercepted Russian drones following heightened tensions in Ukraine, with nearly all regions of the country placed on high alert. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk expressed concerns, stating that the situation was the closest to open conflict since World War Two.
European leaders and U.S. President Donald Trump have strongly condemned these incursions. President Trump expressed his disapproval, stating, “I don’t love it. I don’t like when that happens. Could be big trouble.”