Lyce · Hybrid Watch

hw_948a8a672750dc6e

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

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
2026-09-24
Publication
2026-09-24
First observed
2026-10-05T14:29:15.028Z
Review status
Not assessed
Countries
EE, LT, LV
Updated
2026-10-05T16:30:16.433Z

Attribution

Official

Facts

No facts

Sources

  1. Role
    discovery_lead
    Date
    2026-09-23T23:59:51Z

    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.