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44m ago

RAF Typhoons Fly First NATO Eastern Sentry Patrol Over Poland

The sortie underscored allied deterrence after reported Russian breaches of NATO airspace this month.

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British Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoons fly during a media day illustrating how NATO Air Policing safeguards the Allies' airspace in the northern and northeastern region of the Alliance, July 4, 2023. REUTERS/Piroschka van de Wouw/File Photo

Overview

  • Two RAF Typhoons launched from RAF Coningsby on Friday night, refuelled by an RAF Voyager, patrolled Polish airspace and returned safely to the UK early Saturday.
  • The UK said the mission answered a recent Russian drone incursion into Poland, with Defence Secretary John Healey stating it signalled that NATO airspace will be defended.
  • Eastern Sentry brings in allied assets from Denmark, France and Germany to reinforce NATO’s eastern flank following Poland’s drone shootdowns and Article 4 consultations.
  • Estonia reported a 12-minute violation by three Russian MiG-31s near the Gulf of Finland; allied aircraft responded to the incident, which Russia’s Defence Ministry denied.
  • Poland later said its own and allied jets were scrambled and air defences set to maximum readiness during a large overnight Russian strike on Ukraine near its border, with operations stood down after the attack ended.