Lyce · Hybrid Watch
hw_5ab8688a42bcf926
NATO intercepts two Russian Su-24M aircraft flying from Kaliningrad toward mainland Russia without transponders or flight plans.
On 3 August, NATO Baltic Air Policing aircraft were scrambled in response to two Russian Su-24M aircraft flying from Kaliningrad toward mainland Russia. Both Russian aircraft were operating through international airspace with their onboard transponders switched off. Neither aircraft had submitted a flight plan to regional air traffic control. Their crews were also not maintaining radio communication with regional air-traffic-control authorities. NATO fighters therefore identified and escorted the aircraft. The incident was recorded by Lithuania’s Ministry of National Defence as an international flight-regulation violation. The aircraft remained in international airspace rather than entering Lithuanian territorial airspace. Nevertheless, their lack of identification and communication required a NATO quick-reaction response. The event occurred along one of the principal Russian military-aircraft transit routes between Kaliningrad and mainland Russia.
E/M/R/S scores
- EExistence0/4 · Not assessed
- MIntent0/4 · Not assessed
- RRussian actor link0/4 · Not assessed
- SRussian state responsibility0/4 · Not assessed
Facts
No facts
Sources
-
- Role
- discovery_lead
- Date
- 2026-08-03T20:52:35Z
On 3 August, NATO Baltic Air Policing aircraft were scrambled in response to two Russian Su-24M aircraft flying from Kaliningrad toward mainland Russia. Both Russian aircraft were operating through international airspace with their onboard transponders switched off. Neither aircraft had submitted a flight plan to regional air traffic control. Their crews were also not maintaining radio communication with regional air-traffic-control authorities. NATO fighters therefore identified and escorted the aircraft. The incident was recorded by Lithuania’s Ministry of National Defence as an international flight-regulation violation. The aircraft remained in international airspace rather than entering Lithuanian territorial airspace. Nevertheless, their lack of identification and communication required a NATO quick-reaction response. The event occurred along one of the principal Russian military-aircraft transit routes between Kaliningrad and mainland Russia.