In a tense aerial encounter, Germany’s air force recently deployed two Eurofighter jets to monitor a Russian IL-20M military reconnaissance aircraft. This Russian plane had ventured into neutral airspace over the Baltic Sea. Following a visual identification, the German forces transferred escort responsibilities to their NATO allies in Sweden, marking another incident in the region.
A spokesperson for the German air force confirmed the deployment, stating, “Our rapid response alert unit, comprising two Eurofighters, was once again activated by NATO. Their mission was to investigate an unidentified aircraft operating in international airspace without a flight plan or established radio contact.” The statement further clarified, “The aircraft was identified as a Russian IL-20M reconnaissance plane. After confirmation, we handed over the escort mission to our Swedish NATO partners and returned to base at Rostock-Laage.”
This incident comes ahead of a crucial meeting of NATO’s North Atlantic Council scheduled for Tuesday, September 23, 2025. During this session, the council is expected to address a prior, significant incident involving Russia’s breach of Estonian airspace. According to officials familiar with the matter, Estonia’s capital, Tallinn, reported that three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets had unlawfully entered its airspace last Friday. These jets remained in Estonian airspace for 12 minutes before being compelled to depart, raising further concerns about regional security and international aviation protocols.