at At 11.30 on Friday (16), Eurofighter Typhoon fighters of the Italian Air Force, stationed at Ämari Air Base in Estonia, were sent on the wings to repel a Russian aircraft approaching the Baltic Sea.
The rejection took place as part of NATO’s air policing duties, which aim to ensure continuous surveillance of allied airspace.
According to the Alliance Air Command, the action was launched due to the approach of a Russian aircraft without sufficient communication with the regional air traffic control services.
The identified target was a Beriev Be-200 from the Russian Naval Aviation, the Be-200PS variant, with registration number RF-88456 (Bort No. 21 Yellow). It is a relatively new multi-mission amphibious platform, which completed its maiden flight in November 2020.
According to official data, in 2025 alone, more than 500 rapid alarm starts (scrambles) were carried out throughout NATO’s airspace. Air Policing operations and enhanced surveillance activities maintain 24/7 readiness as part of the Allied deterrence and rapid response strategy in a security environment characterized by persistent tensions on Europe’s eastern flank.
Source and images: NATO Air Command (@NATO_AIRCOM). This content is created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editors.
