NATO Rafale and F-35 intercept a number of Russian aircraft near Estonia

NATO fighter jets have conducted several successful interceptions of Russian aircraft over the Baltic Sea. In particular, French Rafales intercepted an Il-18, and Dutch F-35s intercepted a group of three Russian aircraft, Business Insider writes. 

The General Staff of the French Armed Forces reported that on December 13, two French Rafale fighters intercepted a Russian Il-18 turboprop aircraft near the Estonian coast. NATO Air Command said it was the first Rafale sortie since they began their mission at the Lithuanian air base in Šiauliai.

Rafales scrambled yesterday to intercept an IL-18 aircraft off the coast of , the first scramble since they began their #NATO Air Policing mission in Šiauliai

Allies and are combining their efforts in protecting the airspace in the region pic.twitter.com/K8XVY77knZ

— NATO Air Command (@NATO_AIRCOM) December 14, 2024

Earlier this week, the Dutch Ministry of Defense reported the interception of three Russian aircraft at once – an An-72, Su-24 and Il-20 – by a pair of F-35 fighters based in Estonia. The Dutch F-35s have been patrolling NATO airspace on the alliance's eastern flank since early December.

These are not the only cases in recent months. Thus, in November, Norwegian F-35s were deployed to respond to “non-compliance with international norms” by Russian aircraft off the coast of Norway. On the same day, the Italian Air Force intercepted a Russian Coot-A aircraft over the Baltic Sea.