Fighter jets protecting NATO’s eastern flank have been scrambled for at least the fourth time in 10 days to intercept Russian aircraft flying close to alliance airspace. Two Swedish Gripens stationed at Malbork Air Base in Poland intercepted a Russian IL-20 spy plane, known by its NATO code name Coot-A, on Thursday.
Swedish air force spokeswoman Therese Akerstedt told the AFP news agency: “The plane was close to Polish airspace so we went up to signal our presence, make a visual identification and escort it out of the area.” The scramble was Sweden’s first under the alliance’s enhanced air policing mission along its eastern borders. The Nordic nation joined NATO last year.
It comes after the UK confirmed Royal Air Force Typhoon jets in Poland were scrambled three times in three days to intercept Russian warplanes.
This included being scrambled twice on April 15, intercepting a Coot-A and then two SU-30SM2 fighter jets, referred to as Flanker-H by NATO.
The RAF aircraft are stationed at Malbork Air Base alongside the Swedish Gripens.
Poland scrambled its fighter jets after Russia launched deadly strikes overnight on western Ukraine.
Warsaw’s Armed Forces Operational Command said allied forces had joined patrols over Polish airspace close to the Ukraine border.
Ukraine’s defence ministry said Moscow launched a “massive attack” across the country overnight, involving cruise and ballistic missiles, plus drones.
At least 12 people were killed in strikes on the capital Kyiv which the Kremlin said were aimed at defence infrastructure sites.
Moscow’s defence ministry said it had “delivered a massive strike” and that “all the targets have been hit”.
Ukraine said the attack prompted a furious reaction from Donald Trump who is looking to bring the war to a quick end.
The US President said he was “not happy” about the strikes on the Ukrainian capital.
Writing on his Truth Social platform, he said: “Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP! 5000 soldiers a week are dying. Let’s get the Peace Deal DONE!”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he would cut short his trip to South Africa following the barrage which he called one of Russia’s “most outrageous”.
The attack on Kyiv is believed to be Russia’s biggest in nine months.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer condemned Russia, saying the strikes are a “real reminder that Russia is the aggressor here”.