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4h ago

UK Jets Fly First NATO Patrol Over Poland Under Eastern Sentry

The patrols answer recent alleged Russian airspace violations that Moscow denies.

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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
Estonia's Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna (Photo: Reuters)
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Overview

  • Two RAF Typhoons, supported by a Voyager tanker, launched from RAF Coningsby on Friday night to defend Polish airspace and returned safely early Saturday.
  • Defence minister John Healey said the sortie signals that NATO airspace will be defended, and Air Chief Marshal Harv Smyth emphasized the RAF’s readiness to project airpower.
  • The deployment follows a Russian drone incursion into Poland earlier this month and an alleged 12‑minute breach of Estonian airspace by Russian jets reported on Friday.
  • Russia’s defence ministry denied any violation of Estonian airspace, asserting its aircraft flew over neutral waters.
  • Poland’s operational command reported allied fighters were deployed and ground-based air defences and radar systems were raised to their highest readiness during overnight Russian strikes on Ukraine near the border.