RAF Scrambles Jets to Intercept Russian Aircraft

RAF Typhoon fighter jets were scrambled twice within 48 hours from Malbork Air Base in Poland to intercept Russian aircraft approaching NATO airspace, first targeting a Russian Ilyushin Il-20M intelligence plane over the Baltic Sea and then an unidentified aircraft departing Kaliningrad. These incidents marked the RAF's first missions under Operation Chessman, NATO's enhanced air policing initiative that now features cooperation with Sweden following its accession to the alliance. UK Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard emphasized the UK's steadfast commitment to NATO amid growing Russian aggression, highlighting the joint defense as reassurance for allies and a deterrent to adversaries. The deployments are part of a broader UK strategy to boost military readiness and strengthen integration with NATO allies in response to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and rising security threats in Eastern Europe. The air policing efforts come as Russia is accused of testing Western responses and violating ceasefire proposals in Ukraine, despite President Putin's announced Easter truce. The UK government is expected to use these intercepts as evidence of increased Russian threats and to justify continued Western support for Ukraine.