While the Ukrainian military is pushing hard on the ground with the ongoing counteroffensive, Western aircraft continue to fly over NATO territory and international airspace to track the movements and communications of the Russian forces.
Although legal under international law, the mission is full of danger.
Russian aircraft harass NATO planes on a daily basis in a silent “war” over the skies of Europe.
Intercepting Russian Aircraft
In the first three weeks of June alone, the Royal Air Force (RAF) intercepted 21 Russian aircraft that were harassing NATO planes operating around Ukraine but in international airspace in the Baltics.
Specifically, the RAF intercepted Su-27M Flanker and Su-30SM Flanker fighter jets, Tu-134 Crusty, An-72 Coaler, and An-12 Cub transport and VIP aircraft, II-20 Coot surveillance aircraft, and Tu-22M Backfire strategic long-range bombers.
“These intercepts are a stark reminder of the value of collective defense and deterrence provided by NATO,” the British Secretary of Defense said in a press release.
“The RAF has operated alongside our allies over the last three weeks to ensure both member states and our partner nations are protected, and they can be assured of our ongoing commitment to strengthening European security alongside those who share our values,” the British Secretary of Defense added.
A squadron of Typhoon Eurofighter fighter jets are on constant standby in the Baltics, protecting NATO aircraft.
In addition to the British aircraft, there were Portuguese and Romanian fighter jets in the area, acting as quick-reaction alert aircraft to respond to any acts of Russian aggression.
Wing Commander Scott Maccoll, the commanding officer of the 140 Expeditionary Wing, highlighted the importance of forward bases to NATO’s mission around Ukraine.
“Throughout our NATO Air Policing Mission, 140 EAW has acted decisively and legitimately to uphold international law, protect democratic freedoms, and ensure the safety of all aircraft transiting throughout the airspace of member states. Working closely with our NATO allies has also improved interoperability across the alliance and bolstered regional security on NATO’s eastern flank,” the RAF officer stated.
The Russian Aerospace Forces have been rather lackluster in the war so far. Russian aircraft failed to achieve air superiority in the initial days of the conflict and have been relegated to delivering stand-off munitions from long distances and some risky close air support missions.
A Very Hot Incident
An incident over the Black Sea a few months ago could have drawn NATO into the conflict.
On September 29, 2022, an RAF RC-135W Rivet Joint surveillance aircraft was flying over the Black Sea on a routine surveillance mission. A pair of Russian Su-27 Flanker fighter jets intercepted the British aircraft. But instead of just harassing it with air maneuvers, one of the Russian aircraft launched a missile against the NATO plane. Fortunately, the air-to-air munition missed, and there was only a diplomatic uproar instead of a potential war.
Following the incident, the British military deployed fighter jets in the area to accompany all NATO aircraft flying around Ukraine. Judging by the recent numbers cited by the British Ministry of Defense, the fighter jets have been hard at work.
A 19FortyFive Defense and National Security Columnist, Stavros Atlamazoglou is a seasoned defense journalist specializing in special operations, a Hellenic Army veteran (national service with the 575th Marine Battalion and Army HQ), and a Johns Hopkins University graduate. His work has been featured in Business Insider, Sandboxx, and SOFREP.
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