Moment RAF Typhoons intercept Russian fighter jets flying close to Nato airspace

THIS is the moment RAF Typhoons intercept Russian fighter jets flying close to Nato airspace in tense standoff.

The RAF Typhoons scrambled from Amari Air Base in Estonia to visually identify multiple Russian aircrafts flying over the Baltic Sea.

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The Russian aircraft remained in international airspace and flew in a “safe and provisional manner” according to the Royal Air Force.

The Typhoon fighters, that are currently deployed on Nato’s Baltic Air Policing Mission, intercepted one An-72 COALER and two Su-27 FLANKER Bs.

The Typhoons returned to Amari Airbase to continue Nato’s Air Policing Mission.

This comes after a RAF Typhoon scrambled to intercept a Russian warplane flying close to Estonian airspace in March.

It was the first time British and German air forces carried out a joint Nato air policing operation.

The response saw the pair of British and German Typhoon jets react to a Russian Il-78 air-to-air refuelling aircraft between flying St Petersburg and Kaliningrad

It was escorted after failing to communicate with Estonian air traffic control.

The allied fighters also intercepted an AN-148 plane from Russia.

Following the interception, two Norweigan F-35s were quickly deployed to head off two Russian military aircraft – a MiG-31 and NOR F-35 – in international airspace.

It came as British pilots conducted joint air policing missions in Estonia alongside the German air force for the first time as the UK prepared to take over the lead in Nato missions in the country, which borders Russia.

The Ministry of Defence stressed the “routine” nature of the mission, but it comes amid tensions between the West and Russia over the invasion of Ukraine.

Armed forces minister James Heappey said: “Nato continues to form the bedrock of our collective security.

“This joint UK and German deployment in the Baltics clearly demonstrates our collective resolve to challenge any potential threat to Nato’s borders, whilst demonstrating our combined strength.”

And a month later, on Friday April 14, the Royal Air Force intercepted a Russian spy plane and two fighter jets that were spotted flying close to Nato air space.

The warplanes were sent packing by RAF and German Typhoons protecting the eastern flank of Nato’s border, near Estonia.

Fighter jets from the RAF’s IX Squadron and the German Air Force’s 71 “Richtofen” Wing were scrambled to intercept the unidentified planes.

One of the planes was later identified to be a Russian Air Force Il-20 Coot-A intelligence aircraft, which was transiting from mainland Russia to the Kaliningrad enclave.

It was met by two Russian Su-27 Flanker-B fighter jets based in Kaliningrad, which escorted the spy plane through the north-west area of the Estonian flight information region.

The RAF said it was an important interception.

A pilot involved in the operation said: “We often see Russian military aircraft flying over the Baltic Sea and so this was a routine intercept for us.

“Nevertheless, the importance of intercepting these aircraft and our commitment to the collective defence of Nato airspace remains steadfast and resolute.

“What this intercept has proven is that together with our German allies, we are able to act with speed and decisiveness to effectively ensure the Alliance’s security.”

The RAF and the German Air Force have been operating Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets out of Amari Air Base, Estonia, as a combined force.

This was just one of the joint interceptions the nations have conducted as part of fulfilling Nato’s Baltic air policing mission –Operation Azotize.

The combined force has been in flight since March.

Tensions also flared at Nato’s shared border with Russia after Finland joined the alliance in April.

The Nordic country was officially welcomed on April 4 – taking the bloc just 78 miles from Vladimir Putin’s home city of St Petersburg.

Hours before the historic move, Russia warned that Belarusian military aircraft had been upgraded to launch nuclear strikes.

Moscow’s Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu also warned Finland’s entry into the military alliance and Nato’s move to increase its combat readiness ramped up the risk of conflict.

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