- Nato forces intercepted a Russian formation of strategic bombers and fighter jets over the Baltic Sea on Monday.
- French Rafale fighters, stationed in Lithuania, along with aircraft from Sweden, Finland, Poland, Denmark, and Romania, were tasked with monitoring the Russian formation.
- The Russian formation comprised two supersonic Tu-22M3 bombers and approximately 10 escorting fighters (SU-30s and SU-35s).
- Russia's Defence Ministry stated the long-range bombers' flight was scheduled, occurred in neutral Baltic Sea airspace, and lasted over four hours.
- Nato routinely scrambles jets to intercept Russian warplanes, which often fail to use transponders, communicate with air traffic controllers, or file flight plans, a common occurrence in the region.
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