Lyce · Hybrid Watch

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Separate Russian Su-35, Su-30M2 and Il-20 formation intercepted after departing Kaliningrad.

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NATO fighters responded to a second, separately identifiable Russian formation consisting of one Su-35, two Su-30M2 fighters and one Il-20 reconnaissance aircraft. Unlike the formation travelling toward mainland Russia, these aircraft departed Kaliningrad, operated over international waters and subsequently returned to Kaliningrad, making this a distinct sortie rather than part of the first interception. All four aircraft operated without active transponders, without filed flight plans and without maintaining radio contact with regional air-traffic control. Lithuanian reporting therefore records a separate NATO identification and escort response.

Occurrence
Publication
First observed
Review status
Not assessed
Countries
Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia
Updated

Attribution

Official

Facts

No facts

Sources

  1. Role
    Discovery lead
    Publication

    NATO fighters responded to a second, separately identifiable Russian formation consisting of one Su-35, two Su-30M2 fighters and one Il-20 reconnaissance aircraft. Unlike the formation travelling toward mainland Russia, these aircraft departed Kaliningrad, operated over international waters and subsequently returned to Kaliningrad, making this a distinct sortie rather than part of the first interception. All four aircraft operated without active transponders, without filed flight plans and without maintaining radio contact with regional air-traffic control. Lithuanian reporting therefore records a separate NATO identification and escort response.