UK fighter jets intercept Russian aircraft near Nato airspace

The UK's Ministry of Defense (MoD) announced on Sunday that Royal Air Force (RAF) fighter jets intercepted Russian aircraft flying close to the airspace of Nato (North Atlantic Treaty Organization).

According to the ministry, RAF fighters intercepted the Russian aircraft as part of the United Kingdom's contribution to Nato’s enhanced air policing in the region.

The UK MoD said in a statement, "Two RAF Typhoons were scrambled from Malbork Air Base in Poland on Tuesday to intercept a Russian Ilyushin Il-20M 'Coot-A' intelligence aircraft over the Baltic Sea. Whilst on Thursday, another two Typhoons scrambled from the base, to intercept an unknown aircraft leaving Kaliningrad air space and close to Nato airspace."

It added, "The intercepts marked the RAF’s first scramble as part of Operation Chessman and come just weeks after the aircraft arrived in eastern Poland to begin their deployment alongside Sweden in defence of Nato’s Eastern Flank."

"Operation Chessman" is the United Kingdom's involvement in Nato's enhanced air policing.

'Unshakable in our commitment to Nato'

Minister for the armed forces, Luke Pollard, said the UK is "unshakeable in its commitment to Nato."

Pollard stated, "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 through our Plan for Change. 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, keeping us safe at home and strong abroad."

The UK has deployed six Typhoon jets and nearly 200 personnel from the 140 Expeditionary Air Wing is its latest contribution to the military alliance's air policing efforts. This follows successful operations in Romania and Iceland last year.

Under the Typhoon programme, the MoD and RAF support more than 20,000 jobs across all regions of the UK every year.