RAF Typhoon fighter jets have intercepted two Russian aircraft flying close to NATO airspace over the Baltic Sea, in a move that underscores the UK’s ongoing commitment to allied defence amid rising tensions with Moscow.
According to the Ministry of Defence (MoD), the interception took place on Tuesday, when two Typhoon jets were scrambled from Malbork Air Base in Poland to shadow a Russian Ilyushin Il-20M “Coot-A” reconnaissance aircraft. This was followed by another intercept on Thursday involving a separate unidentified aircraft that had departed Kaliningrad airspace and approached NATO-controlled skies.
The MoD confirmed that these actions mark the RAF’s first operational scrambles as part of Operation Chessman, a mission launched earlier this year to bolster NATO’s eastern defences. British fighter jets, supported by nearly 200 personnel from the 140 Expeditionary Air Wing, are currently deployed to Poland to reinforce allied air policing capabilities alongside Swedish forces.
“Interception” in this context refers to the procedure by which military aircraft approach unknown or potentially hostile planes in international airspace to visually identify, escort, or, if necessary, divert them. It is a vital measure to ensure regional security and uphold air sovereignty.
Minister for the Armed Forces Luke Pollard praised the rapid response by RAF crews, reiterating Britain’s steadfast support for the NATO alliance.
“With Russian aggression growing and security threats on the rise, we are stepping up to reassure our allies, deter adversaries and protect our national security,” he said. “This mission shows our ability to operate side by side with NATO’s newest member, Sweden, and to defend the Alliance’s airspace wherever and whenever needed.”
Sweden, which formally joined NATO in 2024, has deployed its Gripen fighter jets alongside the RAF Typhoons in what the MoD described as a “landmark in NATO integration.” It marks the first time Swedish combat aircraft have participated in joint air policing efforts with another NATO member since joining the alliance.
The latest intercepts come against the backdrop of broader international efforts to counter Russian military influence in the region. Just last week, Defence Secretary John Healey attended a high-level NATO meeting where more than 50 nations pledged an additional £21 billion in support for Ukraine.
The deployment to Poland is only the latest in a series of British contributions to NATO air defence. In April 2024, six Typhoon jets and over 200 UK personnel were deployed to Romania to safeguard the alliance’s southeastern border. In August, a separate contingent of four F-35B Lightning II jets was dispatched to Iceland to patrol NATO’s northern skies.
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The RAF’s quick reaction alert (QRA) capability, based at RAF Coningsby, Lossiemouth, and Brize Norton, enables the UK to respond to any aerial threat to allied airspace within minutes. These latest operations demonstrate not only the agility of Britain’s air defences but also the deepening cooperation within NATO as new members like Sweden integrate their forces into shared missions.
The Ministry of Defence emphasised that such missions are vital to maintaining a credible deterrent posture in the face of continued Russian air activity near allied borders. Though the intercepted aircraft did not enter NATO airspace, their proximity and nature required a swift response to ensure regional stability and uphold international norms.
As tensions continue to simmer in Eastern Europe, the RAF’s role in defending NATO’s skies remains a cornerstone of the UK’s security strategy — a visible symbol of solidarity and vigilance in an increasingly volatile world.
