NATO fighter jets were deployed five times last week to identify and escort Russian aircraft, as reported by the Ministry of Defense of Lithuania.

From March 18th to 24th, NATO fighter jets performing air policing duties in the Baltic States took off five times to identify and escort Russian Federation (RF) aircraft violating flight rules.

On March 18th, NATO air policing fighter jets flew to identify and escort an IL-20 aircraft. The aircraft flew in international airspace from the RF Kaliningrad region to the RF Kaliningrad region. The aircraft flew without filing a flight plan, without an activated transponder, and did not maintain radio communication with the Regional Air Traffic Control Center (RATCC).

On March 19th, NATO air policing fighter jets flew to identify and escort an IL-76 aircraft. The aircraft flew in international airspace from the RF Kaliningrad region to the mainland RF. The aircraft flew without filing a flight plan, with an activated transponder, and maintained radio communication with RATCC.

On March 19th, NATO air policing fighter jets flew to identify and escort an IL-20 aircraft. The aircraft flew in international airspace from the RF Kaliningrad region to the RF Kaliningrad region. The aircraft flew without filing a flight plan, without an activated transponder, and did not maintain radio communication with RATCC.

On March 19th, NATO air policing fighter jets flew to identify and escort an SU-24MR aircraft. The aircraft flew in international airspace from the RF Kaliningrad region to the mainland RF. The aircraft flew without filing a flight plan, without an activated transponder, and did not maintain radio communication with RATCC.

On March 21st, NATO air policing fighter jets flew to identify and escort an IL-20 aircraft. The aircraft flew in international airspace from the RF Kaliningrad region to the mainland RF. The aircraft flew without filing a flight plan, with an activated transponder, and maintained radio communication with RATCC.