Latest news with #IlyushinIl-20M
Irish Daily Star
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Irish Daily Star
NATO jets scrambled as Russia launches brutal new attacks despite Putin 'peace claims'
NATO has ramped up its air defense, with fighter jets on high alert following Russia's aggressive strikes in Western Ukraine, coming just days after Russian President Vladimir Putin was accused of "targeting civilians. " The military alliance's Armed Forces Operational Command announced that it had increased patrols over Polish airspace adjacent to the Ukrainian border. The command stated: "The steps taken are aimed at ensuring safety in areas bordering the threatened areas." Additionally, Poland's radar and reconnaissance capabilities were heightened, with officials declaring their forces ready to act "immediately" if the situation escalates, with the Polish President, Andrzej Duda, regularly warning of the threat posed by Russia and pleading with Donald Trump to station nuclear weapons in the country as a deterrent. After the cessation of Russia's long-range airstrikes on Ukraine, military flights over Polish skies have ended, the statement clarified. It continued: "Poland's air defense and radar systems, which had been activated in response, are now back to routine operations. Authorities confirmed there were no breaches of Polish airspace. Meanwhile, Putin has been slammed for claiming to want peace but launching further attacks. Read More Related Articles Donald Trump branded 'disgusting' as he honors Pope Francis in 'baffling' way Read More Related Articles 'Hideous' Trump hangs new self-portrait in White House next to his greatest political rival "The Polish Armed Forces continue to monitor the situation in Ukraine closely and remain on standby to safeguard national airspace." Polish jets were scrambled on Thursday (Image: (Image: Getty)) In a devastating overnight missile and drone assault on Kyiv, nine people lost their lives, and 70 were injured, including six children, as reported by Ukrainian authorities on Thursday, reports the Express . The Kyiv City Military Administration revealed that the attack involved at least 45 drones, with the expectation of updated figures from Ukraine's Air Force forthcoming. The attack occurred amidst stalled peace negotiations, with President Donald Trump criticizing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for his refusal to surrender Crimea to Russia as part of a proposed peace plan. Rescue efforts were still underway early Thursday morning, with emergency personnel retrieving bodies from the rubble of collapsed buildings and providing care to those injured. For all the latest news straight to your inbox, sign up for our FREE newsletters here . On April 15, UK fighter jets intercepted two Russian aircraft flying near NATO airspace, demonstrating the UK's commitment to NATO's enhanced Air Policing mission. Two RAF Typhoons took off from Malbork Air Base in Poland to intercept a Russian Ilyushin Il-20M intelligence-gathering aircraft over the Baltic Sea. Shortly after, a second scramble was initiated to intercept an unidentified aircraft departing from Kaliningrad airspace. These incidents marked the RAF's first interceptions under Operation CHESSMAN, supporting NATO's Eastern Flank alongside Sweden. For the latest local news and features on Irish America, visit our homepage here .
The Independent
20-04-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
RAF fighter jets intercept Russian aircraft near Nato airspace
RAF fighter jets have intercepted two Russian aircraft flying close to Nato airspace over the Baltic Sea, marking the first such intervention under Operation Chessman. Two RAF Typhoons were scrambled from Malbork Air Base in Poland on Tuesday to intercept a Russian Ilyushin Il-20M 'Coot-A' intelligence aircraft, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said. A second incident occurred on Thursday when another two Typhoons were launched from the base to intercept an unknown aircraft departing Kaliningrad airspace close to Nato airspace. The MoD said on Sunday that the intercepts mark the RAF's first scramble as part of Operation Chessman and come weeks after the aircraft arrived in eastern Poland to begin deployment alongside Sweden in defence of Nato's eastern flank. Interception in aviation terms refers to when one aircraft, typically a military one, approaches another for the purpose of identification or intervention. Minister for the Armed Forces Luke Pollard said the UK was 'unshakeable' in its commitment to Nato. 'With Russian aggression growing and security threats on the rise, we are stepping up to reassure our Allies, deter adversaries and protect our national security through our plan for change. 'This mission shows our ability to operate side by side with Nato's newest member Sweden and to defend the Alliance's airspace wherever and whenever needed, keeping us safe at home and strong abroad.' The UK's deployment of six Typhoon jets and nearly 200 personnel from 140 Expeditionary Air Wing is the UK's latest contribution to Nato's air policing efforts, following operations in Romania and Iceland last year. The MoD said it represents a 'landmark in Nato integration' with jets from RAF Lossiemouth operating alongside Swedish Gripens, the first time Sweden has contributed fighter aircraft to another ally's air policing since joining Nato in 2024. The intercepts come after Defence Secretary John Healey's visit to Nato last week, where he co-led a meeting in which more than 50 nations pledged £21 billion of support to Ukraine, the department said. In April 2024, six Typhoon fighter jets with more than 200 personnel were stationed in Romania to defend Nato's eastern border. This was followed in August 2024 with the deployment of four F-35B jets to Iceland, defending Nato airspace in the north. The RAF's quick reaction alert forces are based at RAF Coningsby, Lossiemouth, and Brize Norton.
Yahoo
20-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
RAF jets intercept Russian aircraft near Nato airspace
Two Russian aircraft flying close to Nato airspace were detected by British fighter jets in separate incidents earlier this week, the UK's Ministry of Defence has said. A pair of RAF Typhoons were scrambled to intercept a Russian Ilyushin Il-20M "Coot-A" intelligence aircraft over the Baltic Sea on 15 April, while another two Typhoons intercepted an unknown aircraft leaving the Kaliningrad airspace on 17 April. The two intercepts, which took off from Malbork Air Base in Poland, were part of the UK's contribution to Nato's enhanced air policing. They were the RAF's first intercepts since aircraft arrived in the region to begin the defence of Nato's eastern flank, working alongside Sweden. The UK's involvement in Nato's enhanced air policing is called Operation Chessman and sees personnel from across the RAF deployed to Malbork alongside Sweden, Nato's newest member. The undertaking follows Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's commitment to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP. Minister for the Armed Forces Luke Pollard said that the UK was "unshakable" in its commitment to Nato. "With Russian aggression growing and security threats on the rise, we are stepping up to reassure our Allies, deter adversaries and protect our national security through our Plan for Change," he said. Mr Pollard added that the "mission shows our ability to operate side by side with NATO's newest member Sweden and to defend the Alliance's airspace wherever and whenever needed, keeping us safe at home and strong abroad". How much do Nato members spend on defence? Starmer cuts aid to fund increase in defence spending
BBC News
20-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
RAF Typhoon jets intercept Russian aircraft near Nato airspace in Poland
Two Russian aircraft flying close to Nato airspace were detected by British fighter jets in separate incidents earlier this week, the UK's Ministry of Defence has said. A pair of RAF Typhoons were scrambled to intercept a Russian Ilyushin Il-20M "Coot-A" intelligence aircraft over the Baltic Sea on 15 April, while another two Typhoons intercepted an unknown aircraft leaving the Kaliningrad airspace on 17 April. The two intercepts, which took off from Malbork Air Base in Poland, were part of the UK's contribution to Nato's enhanced air policing. They were the RAF's first intercepts since aircraft arrived in the region to begin the defence of Nato's eastern flank, working alongside Sweden. The UK's involvement in Nato's enhanced air policing is called Operation Chessman and sees personnel from across the RAF deployed to Malbork alongside Sweden, Nato's newest undertaking follows Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's commitment to increase defence spending to 2.5% of for the Armed Forces Luke Pollard said that the UK was "unshakable" in its commitment to Nato. "With Russian aggression growing and security threats on the rise, we are stepping up to reassure our Allies, deter adversaries and protect our national security through our Plan for Change," he said. Mr Pollard added that the "mission shows our ability to operate side by side with NATO's newest member Sweden and to defend the Alliance's airspace wherever and whenever needed, keeping us safe at home and strong abroad".
The Guardian
20-04-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
RAF fighters scrambled twice to intercept Russian planes last week
RAF fighter jets have intercepted two Russian aircraft flying close to Nato airspace over the Baltic Sea. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said two RAF Typhoons were scrambled from Malbork airbase in Poland on Tuesday to intercept a Russian Ilyushin Il-20M 'Coot-A' intelligence aircraft. On Thursday, another two Typhoons were scrambled from the base to intercept an unknown aircraft leaving Kaliningrad airspace close to Nato airspace. The MoD said on Sunday that the intercepts marked the RAF's first scramble as part of Operation Chessman and come weeks after the aircraft arrived in eastern Poland to begin deployment alongside Sweden in defence of Nato's eastern flank. The armed forces minister, Luke Pollard, said the UK was 'unshakeable' in its commitment to Nato. He added: 'With Russian aggression growing and security threats on the rise, we are stepping up to reassure our allies, deter adversaries and protect our national security through our plan for change. 'This mission shows our ability to operate side by side with Nato's newest member, Sweden, and to defend the alliance's airspace wherever and whenever needed, keeping us safe at home and strong abroad.' The UK's deployment of six Typhoon jets and nearly 200 personnel from 140 Expeditionary Air Wing is the UK's latest contribution to Nato's air policing efforts, coming after operations in Romania and Iceland last year. The MoD said it represented a 'landmark in Nato integration' with jets from RAF Lossiemouth operating alongside Swedish Gripen fighter jets, the first time Sweden has contributed such aircraft to an ally's air policing since joining Nato in 2024. The intercepts come after the defence secretary, John Healey, attended Nato's Ukraine defence contact group in Brussels last week, where he co-led a meeting in which more than 50 nations pledged £21bn of support to Ukraine, the department said. In April 2024, six Typhoon fighter jets with more than 200 personnel were stationed in Romania to defend Nato's eastern border. This was followed in August 2024 with the deployment of four F-35B jets to Iceland, defending Nato airspace in the north. The RAF's quick reaction alert forces are based at RAF Coningsby, Lossiemouth, and Brize Norton.
