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nato The jets have been forced to scramble in response to Russian violation Of lithuaniaAirspace of.
Two Russian military aircraft, a Su-30 fighter jet and an II-78 refueling tanker took off NATO member states For about 18 seconds on Thursday, there was a formal response from the coalition. The military said they were probably on a refueling training mission when they flew 700 meters (0.43 mi) at 1500 GMT.
“I strongly condemn the violation of Lithuanian airspace by fighter jets and transport aircraft of the Russian Federation from a site in the Kaliningrad region,” Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said in a statement.
“This is a gross violation of international law and the territorial integrity of Lithuania,” he said on X. “Once again, this confirms the importance of strengthening European air defense preparedness.”
RussiaThe Defense Ministry has denied the incident and said none of its Su-30 jets training in the Kaliningrad region had violated the territory of any country. The Russian province is located between Poland and Lithuania.
NATO’s Baltic Air Policing responded by scrambling Spanish Eurofighter Typhoon jets patrolling the area. It deployed aircraft to the Lithuanian airbase at Siauliai as part of its Operation Eastern Sentry.
A NATO official said the quick response demonstrated “readiness to respond to any developments and the ability to ensure the security of the alliance’s airspace”.
Following the incident, Lithuania called Russia’s top diplomat to lodge a strong protest. The country’s Foreign Ministry said it has informed the alliance, EU allies and the North Atlantic Council about the episode.
“This incident once again shows that Russia is behaving like a terrorist state, ignoring international law and the security of neighboring countries,” Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginien said on Facebook.
“Lithuania is safe. Together with our allies, we care about and will protect every centimeter of our country.”
The latest incursion follows a number of similar incidents, starting with the entry of more than 20 Russian drones into Poland last month, prompting its Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski to make the request. No fly zone should be implemented,
General Sir Richard Shirreff, former Deputy Supreme Allied Commander of NATO told Independent He believes the intrusion was a “deliberate attack to probe NATO’s security”, adding that if Russia “smells weakness” it will continue its aggression: “NATO will have to respond with real force.”
Nine days later, Russian military aircraft were accused of violating Estonian airspace for 12 minutes on 19 September. Russia denied its planes entry into the country and accused Estonia of deliberately increasing tensions between Russia and Europe.
Violations were also alleged to have occurred in Romania, as training exercises were taking place in Belarus. Denmark later accused Russia of encroaching on its airspace, which Russia has rejected.