European air forces scrambled to intercept Russian military aircraft approaching allied airspace more than 300 times in 2023, according to NATO.
The news comes as Russia ramped up air strikes on Ukraine in new waves of attack.
NATO Says Allied Forces Intercepted More Than 300 Russian Aircraft in 2023
Most of the intercepts reported in 2023 were over the Baltic Sea, according to NATO.
Key Takeaways:
- NATO air forces intercepted Russian military aircraft over 300 times in 2023, primarily over the Baltic Sea, which represents a decrease from 570 intercepts reported in 2022.
- These intercepts occur because Russian military aircraft often operate unpredictably near allied airspace without transmitting transponder codes, filing flight plans, or communicating with air traffic controllers.
- In response to Russia's war in Ukraine, which NATO considers the most dangerous security situation in Europe in decades, the alliance has significantly bolstered its air defenses and surveillance along its eastern flank.
- Recent events, such as a Russian missile briefly entering Polish airspace, underscore the ongoing tensions and the critical role of NATO's continuous air policing missions.
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