Two Russian aircraft briefly violated Lithuanian airspace

The Lithuanian Armed Forces have reported that two Russian aircraft from Kaliningrad Oblast violated the country’s airspace on Thursday 23 October.

Source: Lithuanian Armed Forces press service, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The incident occurred at around 18:00, when Lithuania’s Air Force recorded a breach of the state border near the city of Kybartai.

“A Russian Federation Su-30 aircraft, likely conducting aerial refuelling exercises in Kaliningrad Oblast, and an Il-78 refuelling tanker aircraft crossed into Lithuanian territory by approximately 700 metres and left Lithuanian airspace after being in it for around 18 seconds,” the statement said.

In response to the incident, two Spanish Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon jets, currently conducting a NATO air policing mission, were scrambled.

Background:

• Russia has repeatedly carried out provocations involving violations of NATO countries’ airspace, the most high-profile of which was an incursion into Estonian airspace in mid-September.
• NATO Joint Forces Commander General Alexus Grynkewich previously stated that the Alliance’s firm response to Russian incursions into Polish and Estonian airspace had forced Russia to act more cautiously.

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