Overview

• UK officials confirmed that an RAF RC-135 Rivet Joint and a P-8A Poseidon flew on Oct. 9 with support from a USAF KC-135 refuelling tanker.
• The mission traced a route from the Arctic past Belarus and Ukraine along NATO’s eastern flank near Russia, with the RAF highlighting the extended reach provided by air-to-air refuelling.
• Defence Minister John Healey said the operation gathered valuable intelligence and sent a clear message of NATO unity to President Vladimir Putin and other adversaries.
• British statements linked the patrol to recent incursions reported by Poland, Romania, and Estonia, with Poland earlier shooting down drones and triggering NATO Article 4 consultations.
• Russia rejected Estonia’s claim that MiG-31s breached its airspace, while several European airports have recently halted flights after drone sightings.