A handout picture provided by the British Ministry of Defence showing RAF crews making a second scramble to intercept a Russian SU-30 Flanker fighter (top) and an Ilyushin IL-76 Candid transport aircraft (pictued in photo below).
The Russian aircraft were transiting north from Kaliningrad towards Estonian and Finnish airspace, 15 June 2019, issued 17 June 2019.
RAF Typhoon fighter jets based at Amari Air Base in Estonia were scrambled twice over the weekend (14-15 June) to intercept Russian fighter aircraft.
Working in partnership with the Estonian authorities, this was a routine NATO airspace policing mission for the Typhoon detachment providing continued reassurance in the region.
This weekend’s activity means that the RAF have made eight intercepts of Russian aircraft since taking over the Baltic Air Policing mission on 03 May 2019. The Royal Air Force is deployed on Operation AZOTIZE in Estonia in support of NATO Baltic Air Policing.
Photos: EPA-EFE/RAF/BRITISH MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
