NATO Fighter Intercepts Russian Aircraft

French Rafale fighter jets, in cooperation with the air forces of Sweden, Finland, Poland, Denmark, and Romania, have intercepted Russian strategic bombers. During the operation, Tu-22M3 supersonic missile-carrying bombers, as well as Su-30 and Su-35 fighters, were also detected conducting flights in the airspace over the Baltic Sea on Monday, April 20.

The French command reported the incident the following day, April 21. According to the report, Russia successively deployed two Tu-22M3 units, along with around 10 Su-30 and Su-35 fighters, to escort “larger strategic bombers.” A reporter from the Associated Press personally witnessed the takeoff of two Rafale aircraft from the Šiauliai airport in Lithuania.