During a routine operation, a Russian surveillance plane and two fighter fighters were intercepted near to Estonian territory.
The three aircraft were spotted in the NATO member’s flight area’s north-west region as they were flying toward Kaliningrad.
Friday saw RAF Typhoons and members of the German Air Force race to the area over the Baltic Sea.
This is the fifth time in six weeks that Operation Azotize, NATO’s Baltic air policing squad, has intercepted Russian jets.
![Typhoon fighter jets from the Royal Air Force and German Air Force have conducted a joint mission to intercept three Russian aircraft flying over the Gulf of Finland and Baltic Sea. Eurofighter Typhoons from the RAF?s IX (B) Squadron and the German Air Force?s 71 ?Richtofen? Wing were scrambled to intercept and visually identify several unidentified aircraft flying close to NATO airspace. The two forces are currently working side-by-side as part of Operation Azotize to protect the eastern flank of NATO?s border.](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/SEI_152307982-79dc.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&zoom=1&resize=540%2C359)
One of the aircrafts was identified to be a Russian Air Force IL-20 Coot-A plane headed for the Russian exclave, which borders Poland.
It was being escorted by Su-27 Flanker-B fighter jets, the RAF said in a statement.
‘We often see Russian military aircraft flying over the Baltic Sea and so this was a routine intercept for us,’ it added.
‘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 German Air Force are operating Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets out of Amari Air Base in Estonia as a combined force.