Between January 5 and 11, combat aircraft from air forces deployed on NATO Air Policing missions in the Baltic States carried out an operational sortie to identify and intercept Su-30SM fighter jets and An-26 transport aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) operating in the vicinity of NATO airspace.
According to the information released, on January 5 NATO air patrol fighters took off to identify a Su-30SM combat aircraft. The Russian aircraft was flying in international airspace from the Kaliningrad region toward the mainland territory of the Russian Federation. As reported, the Su-30SM did not have its transponder activated, did not file a flight plan, and maintained radio contact with the Regional Air Traffic Control Center (RATCC).
During the same operation, NATO fighters also identified an An-26 transport aircraft. This aircraft was flying in international airspace from mainland Russia toward the Kaliningrad region, likewise without an activated transponder, without a flight plan, and in radio contact with the RATCC.
Recent background in the Baltic Sea
These incidents add to a series of interceptions recorded in recent months over the Baltic Sea. In September 2025, as part of air policing operations that began in early August, C.16 Eurofighter fighters of the Spanish Air and Space Force intercepted an Ilyushin Il-20 signals intelligence aircraft belonging to the Russian Aerospace Forces. The incident occurred on September 9, after NATO detected unidentified air traffic over the Baltic.
In October 2025, the Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces reported that MiG-29 fighters of the Polish Air Force intercepted and escorted a Russian Il-20 aircraft while it was transiting Poland’s Area of Responsibility. According to the statement, the aircraft was conducting a surveillance mission in international airspace without its transponder turned on or a detailed flight plan.
One month later, in November 2025, NATO reported that Italian Eurofighter fighters deployed in Estonia intercepted a Tu-134A-4 aircraft escorted by two Su-30SM2 fighters of the Russian Navy. NATO Air Command released a statement noting: “Over the course of the past week, Italian aircraft deployed at Ämari [Estonia] scrambled to intercept multiple Russian assets. NATO Air Policing in the Baltic region ensures the security of NATO airspace under the command of Eastern Sentry. Eastern Sentry is enhancing the flexibility and strength of NATO’s posture on the eastern flank.”
Likewise, during that same month, the Russian Aerospace Forces reported a patrol flight by two Tu-22M3 strategic bombers over the Baltic Sea, escorted by Su-35S and Su-27 fighters. According to official information, the mission lasted more than five hours and was part of regular long-range patrol activities. On that occasion, JAS-39 Gripen fighters of the Swedish Air Force, deployed on NATO monitoring tasks, intercepted and tracked the Russian aircraft.
The recent flights of the Su-30SM and An-26 thus take place within a sustained pattern of aerial operations and identification missions in the Baltic Sea environment, under NATO’s airspace surveillance and control framework in the region.
*Images for illustrative purposes.
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