Germany scrambles jets after Russian aircraft fly over the Baltic Sea

The German Air Force stated that they scrambled two Eurofighter jets to track a Russian reconnaissance aircraft that entered the neutral airspace over the Baltic Sea.

In a statement, the German Air Force said its "rapid reaction alert force" received a NATO order on Sunday to investigate an unidentified aircraft that was flying without a flight plan or radio contact.

The statement added: "It was a Russian Il-20M reconnaissance aircraft. After visual identification, we handed over the escort mission to our Swedish NATO partner and then returned to Rostock-Lage."

This operation took place as NATO prepares to hold a meeting of the North Atlantic Council on Tuesday, which will discuss another incident involving Russian jets flying over Estonia.

According to Reuters, the meeting will discuss the "unprecedented and brazen" violation of airspace that occurred last Friday, when three Russian MiG-31 fighters entered and left without permission after staying for 12 minutes.

This action has drawn condemnation from NATO and European governments, who called the invasion "reckless" and "dangerous provocation."

Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal demanded an emergency "consultation under Article 4 of NATO" regarding this "completely unacceptable" invasion. Article 4 allows NATO member states to consult with the alliance when any country considers its territorial integrity, political independence, or security to be threatened.

The Russian Ministry of Defense denied the accusation, while Estonia summoned the Russian chargé d'affaires in China to protest.

In recent weeks, a series of airspace violations have occurred on NATO's eastern flank, leading to increased tensions.

Romania recently reported that its radar detected a Russian drone, prompting it to scramble fighter jets. Earlier this month, Poland reported that it shot down several drones during Russian air strikes on Ukraine, marking the first time NATO forces have directly participated in the conflict.

Ukraine said these incidents show Russia is testing the West's resolve as the war enters its fourth year. Military analysts pointed out that such incursions are intelligence-gathering operations, tests of NATO's response, and a strategy to pressure NATO countries bordering Russia.

Governor: Ukrainian attack kills three in Russia

Also on Sunday, regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said on Telegram that an attack by Ukraine on the border region of Belgorod in Russia killed three people and injured nine others.

A shell hit a private house in the settlement of Shebekino near the border, killing a woman.

Gladkov said a man died in a drone strike in the more distant Rakitnoye area in the north of the region. In later reports, he also said a drone attack hit a car in another village in the same area, killing one person and injuring five others.

Since February 2022, when Russia ordered tens of thousands of soldiers into Ukraine, the Belgorod region has been regularly attacked by Ukrainian forces.

In the Zaporozhye region of Ukraine, the Russian-appointed governor of the occupied area, Yevgeny Balitsky, said that Ukrainian shelling killed one person and injured 14 others, including an infant, on the east bank of the Dnipro River.

Reports from both sides of the front cannot be independently verified.

Sources: Al Jazeera + Reuters

Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1843963372730380/

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