Lyce · Hybrid Watch
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NATO intercepts two Russian Su-30 fighters flying to Kaliningrad with transponders switched off.
On 8 July 2026, NATO Baltic Air Policing fighters scrambled to intercept two Russian Su-30 combat aircraft flying from mainland Russia toward the Kaliningrad exclave. Both Russian aircraft were travelling through international airspace over the Baltic Sea. According to Lithuania’s Ministry of National Defence, their onboard transponders were switched off. Neither aircraft had submitted a flight plan in advance. The crews nevertheless maintained radio communication with the regional air traffic control centre during the flight. NATO fighters intercepted and identified the Russian aircraft as part of the Baltic Air Policing mission protecting Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Lithuania formally recorded the episode among the week’s responses to violations of international flight regulations. The use of combat aircraft with transponders disabled and without filed flight plans increases the difficulty of integrating military traffic with civilian aviation operating over the Baltic. The episode came during a particularly active month in which NATO fighters were repeatedly scrambled against Russian aircraft travelling between mainland Russia and Kaliningrad.
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On 8 July 2026, NATO Baltic Air Policing fighters scrambled to intercept two Russian Su-30 combat aircraft flying from mainland Russia toward the Kaliningrad exclave. Both Russian aircraft were travelling through international airspace over the Baltic Sea. According to Lithuania’s Ministry of National Defence, their onboard transponders were switched off. Neither aircraft had submitted a flight plan in advance. The crews nevertheless maintained radio communication with the regional air traffic control centre during the flight. NATO fighters intercepted and identified the Russian aircraft as part of the Baltic Air Policing mission protecting Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Lithuania formally recorded the episode among the week’s responses to violations of international flight regulations. The use of combat aircraft with transponders disabled and without filed flight plans increases the difficulty of integrating military traffic with civilian aviation operating over the Baltic. The episode came during a particularly active month in which NATO fighters were repeatedly scrambled against Russian aircraft travelling between mainland Russia and Kaliningrad.