NATO says Russian jets conduct unsafe Baltic ship overflight, NATO reported on Friday that two Russian fighter jets had approached alliance military ships in the Baltic Sea during routine operations in a “unsafe and unprofessional manner.” Following the Russian pilots’ failure to reply to contacts, NATO’s maritime command reported that the planes passed over “the force at an altitude of 300 feet (91 meters) and a distance of 80 yards (73 meters)” on Thursday morning.
NATO says Russian jets conduct unsafe Baltic ship overflight
“NATO deemed the interaction unsafe and unprofessional since it was conducted in a known danger area, which was activated for air defence training, and due to the aircraft altitude and proximity,” a statement said.
“The interaction increased the risk of miscalculations, mistakes, and accidents.”
According to the statement, NATO forces “acted responsibly” and in accordance with maritime laws.
“NATO will respond appropriately to any interference with NATO’s lawful activity in the area that endangers the safety of our aircraft, ships or their crews. NATO does not seek confrontation and poses no threat,” it said.
It comes as tensions have spiralled between the western military alliance and Russia over Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
This week, concerns for a conflict between the two sides increased after a rocket killed two people in Poland, a NATO member and Ukraine’s neighbor. By claiming that it was probably one of Kyiv’s air defense missiles, the alliance reduced hostilities. Since the September explosions at the Russia-European gas pipelines, which a Swedish investigation on Friday confirmed were caused by acts of sabotage, NATO has increased its naval presence in the Baltic and North seas by twofold.
NATO’s marine force in the Baltic Sea, which consists of ships from the Netherlands, Norway, and Denmark, has been undertaking operations to improve coordination with Sweden and Finland, both of whom are expected to formally join the alliance soon. The two Nordic neighbors’ decision to abandon their long-standing non-alignment policy and join NATO has angered the Kremlin.