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NATO responds to Russian Il-20 and possible Su-34 / Su-30SM activity near Kaliningrad.

NATO fighter jets were scrambled several times in response to Russian or suspected Russian aircraft activity near the Baltic states. One alert concerned a potential Su-34 flying from and back to Kaliningrad without a transponder, without a filed flight plan, and without radio communication, although the object was ultimately not identified. NATO jets also intercepted a Russian Il-20 flying from mainland Russia to Kaliningrad. The Il-20 is especially relevant because it is an intelligence, surveillance and electronic-reconnaissance platform. Its transponder was switched off, no flight plan had been filed, and the crew was not maintaining radio communication. During the same scramble, NATO crews were also ordered to intercept a potential Su-30SM, but weather conditions prevented identification. A separate mission was sent to identify an airborne target over Estonia, though that mission was not completed.

Occurrence

2026-06-04

Publication

2026-06-04T12:03:28Z

First observed

2026-09-24T06:09:10.079Z

Review status

Not assessed

Countries

EE, LT, LV

Updated

2026-09-27T23:56:59.668Z