UK SCRAMBLES TO INTERCEPT RUSSIAN AIRCRAFT TWICE IN 24 HOURS AS TENSIONS ESCALATE

Fri 09 June 2023:

British fighter jets were dispatched twice in the past 24 hours to intercept three Russian aircraft that were flying close to NATO airspace, the UK claimed on Friday.

Russian Il-20 reconnaissance aircraft and Su-27 fighter jet were intercepted on Thursday evening by Swedish Air Force Gripens and Royal Air Force Typhoons stationed at Amari Airbase in Estonia, according to a statement from the British Defense Ministry. The Russian aircraft were flying close to Swedish and NATO airspace.

According to the statement, On Friday morning, British jets were again scrambled to intercept two transport aircraft flying south from mainland Russia towards the Kaliningrad region.

“The Russian aircraft were not complying with international norms by failing to communicate with the relevant Flight Information Regions, however they remained in international airspace and flew in a professional manner,” it further said.

The Royal Air Force jets were later re-tasked to intercept two Tupolev Tu-22M bombers and two Su-30 fighter aircraft, also flying south from mainland Russia over the Gulf of Finland and the Baltic Sea.

“These intercepts are a stark reminder that the Royal Air Force is always ready to defend our skies and those of our allies, while the coordinated action by several air forces serves as a clear demonstration of the value of our international alliances,” British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said in the statement.

Meanwhile, Kyiv has attacked a number of Russian positions in the east and south of occupied Ukraine, including Bakhmut, a city in the Donbas region that Russia spent lives and months trying to capture in bloody siege.

It is thought this is the long-awaited counter attack. Ukraine is staying largely tight-lipped about the attacks, while Russia claims is is managing to defend its lines.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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