RAF jets intercept Russian aircraft near Nato airspace

Two Russian aircraft flying close to Nato airspace were detected by British fighter jets in separate incidents earlier this week, the UK's Ministry of Defence has said.

A pair of RAF Typhoons were scrambled to intercept a Russian Ilyushin Il-20M "Coot-A" intelligence aircraft over the Baltic Sea on 15 April, while another two Typhoons intercepted an unknown aircraft leaving the Kaliningrad airspace on 17 April.

The two intercepts, which took off from Malbork Air Base in Poland, were part of the UK's contribution to Nato's enhanced air policing.

They were the RAF's first intercepts since aircraft arrived in the region to begin the defence of Nato's eastern flank, working alongside Sweden The UK's involvement in Nato's enhanced air policing is called Operation Chessman and sees personnel from across the RAF deployed to Malbork alongside Sweden, Nato's newest member.

The undertaking follows Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's commitment to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP.

Minister for the Armed Forces Luke Pollard said that the UK was "unshakable" in its commitment to Nato.

"With Russian aggression growing and security threats on the rise, we are stepping up to reassure our Allies, deter adversaries and protect our national security through our Plan for Change," he said.

Mr Pollard added that the "mission shows our ability to operate side by side with NATO's newest member Sweden and to defend the Alliance's airspace wherever and whenever needed, keeping us safe at home and strong abroad".