The United Kingdom mobilized its fighter jets on Thursday and Friday, June 8 and 9 to meet several Russian planes flying near NATO airspace and escort them, the British government said Friday.
On Thursday evening, Typhoon planes of the Royal Air Force (RAF) based in Estonia and Swedish Gripen planes were "mobilized" to "intercept" two Russian aircraft "flying near the airspace of NATO and Sweden," said the British Ministry of Defense in a statement.
«
The Russian planes did not comply with international rules by not communicating with the relevant FIRs, but they remained in international airspace and flew professionally," the ministry added. On Friday morning, British planes were again mobilized to intercept aircraft flying south of mainland Russia towards Kaliningrad. RAF fighters then intercepted Russian aircraft, also flying south of mainland Russia over the Gulf of Finland and the Baltic Sea.
Read alsoHow the Ukrainian Air Force is preparing for the arrival of F-16 aircraft
«
Once again, Russian aircraft did not comply with international rules by not ensuring proper liaison with local FIRs," the Defense Ministry said. The British Typhoons were joined by Finnish Air Force aircraft, which escorted Russian aircraft into the Gulf of Finland, before handing over to the Swedish Air Force Gripen. Portuguese and Romanian aircraft were also involved in these operations, according to the statement.