Russia regularly violates the airspace in the Baltic Sea region, raising concerns that flight safety equipment, such as transponders, is not activated. According to assumptions, Moscow wants to test the reaction of NATO member states to this. In the latest case, several vehicles were identified on September 20 and 21, which is why the military alliance's Eurofighter aircraft also took off.
On Saturday afternoon, German authorities spotted a group of five aircraft, including Su-35s and Su-30s, Russia's latest fighter jets.
Similar incidents can be described almost regularly in the area. In August, several vehicles were reported to have appeared over the sea until then. The German Air Force reported at the time that the unauthorized aircraft “did not cooperate, but did not act aggressively.” Until then, the transponders were not working and the pilots did not respond to questions.
But recently, several incidents have occurred that have made the reaction of regional powers more tense. On September 9, a Russian Shahed drone armed with explosives flew over Ukraine and Belarus and eventually crashed in Latvia. The incident did not cause significant damage or casualties, but NATO is closely combing the area in preparation for a possible military clash.
Cover image is an illustration. Cover image source: Getty Images
