Lyce · Hybrid Watch
hw_9ab4682a668bf021
NATO intercepts two Russian Su-24M aircraft operating without transponders, flight plans or radio contact.
On 5 August, NATO Baltic Air Policing fighters again intercepted two Russian Su-24M aircraft operating from Kaliningrad toward mainland Russia. The aircraft were flying through international airspace with their transponders switched off. Neither aircraft had a pre-filed flight plan. Their crews were also not communicating with regional air traffic control. NATO aircraft identified and escorted the Russian pair. The incident represented a second Russian military-flight violation recorded by Lithuania within three days. The repeated use of the same operating pattern increased the number of NATO quick-reaction alerts in the Baltic region. The aircraft did not enter Lithuanian territorial airspace, but their behaviour breached established international flight-safety procedures. Lithuania’s Defence Ministry included the episode among five Russian flight-regulation violations recorded between 3 and 9 August.
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
- 2026-08-05T20:53:48Z
On 5 August, NATO Baltic Air Policing fighters again intercepted two Russian Su-24M aircraft operating from Kaliningrad toward mainland Russia. The aircraft were flying through international airspace with their transponders switched off. Neither aircraft had a pre-filed flight plan. Their crews were also not communicating with regional air traffic control. NATO aircraft identified and escorted the Russian pair. The incident represented a second Russian military-flight violation recorded by Lithuania within three days. The repeated use of the same operating pattern increased the number of NATO quick-reaction alerts in the Baltic region. The aircraft did not enter Lithuanian territorial airspace, but their behaviour breached established international flight-safety procedures. Lithuania’s Defence Ministry included the episode among five Russian flight-regulation violations recorded between 3 and 9 August.