RAF Typhoons Intercept Russian Aircraft over the Baltic
Scramble missions have been launched from the base at Amari in Estonia to intercept Russian aircraft flying close to the airspace of the Baltic republics
A Typhoon of No. XI Squadron intercepts a Tu-134 “Crusty” on August 6. (photo: Royal Air Force)
A Typhoon of No. XI Squadron intercepts a Tu-134 “Crusty” on August 6. (photo: Royal Air Force)

During the first week of August Eurofighter Typhoons intercepted a number of Russian aircraft, including five in two days. The intercepts took place in international airspace over the Baltic Sea, but close to the airspaces of Estonia and Lithuania. Russian aircraft often fly close to the coast as they transit to Kaliningrad, a Russian enclave that lies on the Baltic coast between Poland and Lithuania. An Ilyushin Il-76 transport had been intercepted on July 31.

On Monday August 5, Typhoons launched from Amari in Estonia initially to intercept, identify and shadow an Antonov An-26 “Curl” medium transport. While airborne, the fighters were then tasked with intercepting three further aircraft, a Tupolev Tu-142 “Bear-F” long-range maritime patroller and two Sukhoi Su-27 fighters.

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