British, German Fighter Jets Jointly Intercept Russian Aircraft Near Estonia For First Time

• 15.03.2023, 12:12

The incident came amid a sharp rise in tensions between the US and Russia following the collision over the Black Sea.

British and German Royal Air Force fighters have intercepted a Russian plane near Estonian airspace in the first joint operation of that kind.

It was reported by the BBC.

On Tuesday, two Typhoon fighters were brought into the air to intercept an Ilyushin Il-78 refuelling plane flying between St Petersburg and Kaliningrad.

The plane did not respond to air traffic controllers in Estonia.

British and German air forces are currently conducting routine joint NATO air patrol operations in the region.

The interception itself was routine, but this is the first time the two countries have conducted such an operation together.

The incident came amid heightened tensions between NATO and Russia over the Russian invasion of Ukraine, although there is no evidence of any connection to reports about the collision between a Russian fighter jet and a US drone over the Black Sea on Tuesday.

After escorting the Russian plane, both fighters were re-directed to intercept an An-148, which was also passing close to Estonian airspace.

The planes are part of the Russian Air Force's 140th Expeditionary Air Wing and Germany's 71st Tactical Air Wing, Richthofen.

The British Air Force is preparing to take over the lead role from the German air force in April in the long-running NATO air patrol mission in the Baltics.

It will then head the mission for four months, with joint British and German operations continuing until the end of April.

Four RAF Typhoon aircraft are now deployed as part of the mission and are based at Ämari Air Base in Estonia.