RAF fighter jets were scrambled to intercept a Russian military plane on Sunday in the latest face-off near the Estonian border.
The IL-76 aircraft was flying near the Balkans country which has endured a tense relationship with Moscow since its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.
The incident was confirmed by the UK government today who said the Russian transport plane was flying close to NATO airspace.
An unnamed Royal Air Force Typhoon pilot, who is based in the Amari Air Base in Estonia, said he “escorted” the rogue aircraft north “away from Estonian airspace”
He said: “We were scrambled to intercept an aircraft that was approaching Estonian airspace from the south.
“We identified and monitored it as it transited close to NATO airspace.
“This is standard protocol for aircraft that might not be communicating with Air Traffic Control or on a recognised flight plan.
“We continued to escort the transport aircraft as it transited in a north direction, away from Estonian airspace.”
Russian planes regularly fly close to Estonian airspace to test responses and intimidate the smaller country.
The Royal Air Force is deployed on Operation AZOTIZE in Estonia in support of NATO Baltic Air Policing.
The UK operates in support of NATO to reassure our allies and is a further demonstration of the Britain’s commitment to the security of the region.
Currently RAF jets are based at Amari Air Base in Estonia on a NATO Baltic Air Policing mission.
NATO member Estonia – which sent troops to Afghanistan as part of the Alliance’s mission there – does not have fighter jets so other NATO members take turns providing them in an air policing role.
Speaking about Sunday’s incident, UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, said: “As this latest Quick Reaction Alert demonstrates, the RAF are frequently called upon to use their world class skills and capabilities to help police and protect the skies over the Baltics.
“Our personnel deployed to Estonia and around the world are always ready to react to any scenario as we continue our commitment to our NATO allies.”
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