NATO jets intercepted two Russian Su-30 fighters armed with supersonic Kh-31 missiles over the Baltic Sea, alongside an Il-20 intelligence aircraft.

Sweden and Denmark carried out the operation after detecting aircraft flying without flight plans or transponders.

The incident comes amid a surge in Russian provocations, including drone incursions into Polish, Romanian, and Latvian airspace, and large-scale Zapad 2025 war games with Belarus.

In response, NATO allies have launched an “Eastern Sentry” mission to reinforce their eastern flank with additional fighter jets and naval assets, the Daily Mail has reported.

European leaders warn that Moscow’s escalating aggression, coupled with repeated drone and missile attacks on Ukraine, risks pushing NATO closer to open conflict.