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Newsweek
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
NATO Scrambles Fighter Jets After Long-Range Russian Missile Strikes
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. NATO fighter jets were scrambled near Poland's eastern border on Monday as Ukraine was struck by a Russian missile and drone attack. Poland's Armed Forces said that Polish and allied aircraft had been launched amid "renewed activity of the Russian Federation's long-range aviation carrying out missile strikes on facilities located in the territory of Ukraine." "All necessary procedures to ensure the safety of Polish airspace have been activated," it said in a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter. "The Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces is monitoring the current situation, with subordinate forces and resources remaining in full readiness for immediate response." Newsweek has contacted the Russian government for comment. A F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jet from the Polish Air Force taking part in a NATO exercise in Lask, Poland, in 2022. A F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jet from the Polish Air Force taking part in a NATO exercise in Lask, Poland, in is a breaking story. More to follow.
Newsweek
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
NATO Scrambles Jets Over 'Dangerous' Russian Bomber Maneuvers
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Two NATO members have accused Russia of provocation along the alliance's eastern flank. Poland said on Thursday that its fighter jets had intercepted a Russian Su-24 bomber that performed "dangerous" maneuvers in international airspace over the Baltic Sea. The next day, Finland said it was investigating whether Russian aircraft had breached the NATO member's airspace. Newsweek has contacted the Russian defense ministry for comment. Polish Air Force F-16 fighters take part in a NATO exercise on July 4, 2023. Polish Air Force F-16 fighters take part in a NATO exercise on July 4, It Matters Alliance members bordering the Baltic, which has been dubbed a "NATO Lake," have accused Moscow of high-risk behavior around its airspace. The latest accusations raise fears of miscalculation and test the alliance's Article 5 mutual defense clause. What To Know Polish defense minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz said Thursday Warsaw's fighter jets intercepted a Russian Sukhoi Su-24 bomber in international airspace over the Baltic Sea. He called the Russian actions "dangerous and intentional" and said that Polish pilots detected, intercepted, and forced the bomber to withdraw from the area. The encounter took place between Poland and Lithuania near Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave from where Moscow's military aircraft frequently fly. Russian pilots often disable their transponders, do not file flight plans, and do not notify regional air traffic control, which NATO officials have described as high-risk behavior. On Friday, Finnish defense minister Antti Häkkänen said that two Russian military aircraft are suspected of violating Finnish airspace off the coast of Porvoo. Häkkänen said the Finnish Border Guard is investigating the incident and without providing any more details, added, "we take the suspected territorial violation seriously." Finland shares an 800-mile border with Russia and joined NATO in 2023 following Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The alliance has raised the alarm over an increasing number of incidents inside or near its airspace. Estonia said that a Russian military jet violated its airspace on May 13 after the Estonian Navy tried to stop the tanker Jaguar, believed to be in Moscow's shadow fleet that circumvents oil sanctions. What People Are Saying Finnish Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen: "We take the suspected territorial violation seriously and an investigation is underway." Polish Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz: "Maneuvers performed by the Russian Su-24…were dangerous and intentional." What Happens Next Adding to NATO concerns is the latest warning of a Russian military buildup next to the border of Finland. Finnish defense forces' head of strategy Major General Sami Nurmi said Thursday that Russia's military had started "moderate preparations" on infrastructure close to the Finnish border. Finnish military analyst Emil Kastehelmi told Newsweek this month that Helsinki is investing significantly more in defense to deal with the potential threat. "Continuous development and preparation work is underway, which boosts the deterrence of Finland and the whole northeastern flank of NATO," he added.
Scottish Sun
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
Watch dramatic Nato vs Russia sea clash erupt as warplanes buzz Putin's ‘shadow fleet' vessel as it's ordered ‘stop NOW'
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) BOTH Nato and Russia scrambled warplanes in a dramatic dogfight over the Baltic Sea after a tense standoff over an undercover Russian tanker. Estonian sea and air forces stalked and tried to board an oil tanker called Jaguar - thought to be part of Russia's shadow fleet. 7 A Russian Su-35 fighter jet, followed by a Polish Air Force MiG-29 Credit: East2West 7 Left to right: an Estonian AgustaWestland AW139 helicopter, M28 Skytruck aircraft and a Russian Su-35 fighter jet pictured over the Jaguar oil tanker during the standoff Credit: East2West 7 The Russian tanker crew goaded the Estonian helicopter forces Credit: East2West It was draped in the Gabon flag, but was sanctioned by Britain on Friday over accusations it is a Russian pawn. Nato aircraft - including Polish MiG-29s - were scrambled as the vessel refused to cooperate. In response, Russia scrambled a Su-35S fighter jet which is said to have violated Estonian airspace as it stormed in to cover for the fleeing Jaguar. In dramatic footage, the Polish Nato plane can be seen tailing the Russian Su-35 in a dogfight over the Gulf of Finland - part of the Baltic Sea. A Russian voice on the bridge of the tanker goaded the Estonians, calling them 'clowns' as they tried and failed to board. The tanker ultimately anchored near Gogland Island - controlled by Russia - in the eastern Baltic Sea. Footage shows the high drama in one of the most tense regions in the world amid disputes between Russia and Nato over Ukraine. 'This is how we're greeted with helicopters,' said a voice -apparently Russian - on the tanker. "They're demanding we anchor.' A message is heard saying: 'This is Estonian warship Papa 6732. 'Your request will be denied. Satellite pics show Putin on the march as Russia masses troops 35 miles from Nato border with 2k soldiers & helicopters 'Follow my instructions. Immediately change course to 105. Over.' A voice from the tanker in Hindi says: 'That looks like our drone in front….' A Russian voice demands: 'Go on, hit it running….' Referring to the Estonians, he says: 'What a bunch of clowns!' The Estonian vessel comes close to the tanker seeking to swerve it to the right. 7 The Russians communicated with the Estonians Credit: East2West 7 The Jaguar oil tanker flying a Gabon flag, thought to be part of Russia's shadow fleet Credit: East2West An Estonian A139 helicopter and an M-28 Skytruck plane of the Estonian defence forces were seen circling the vessel. Boasting a success against the West, pro-Kremlin news outlet Izvestia reported: 'Despite this show of force, the Estonian authorities were unable to stop the vessel. 'The Jaguar ultimately reached Gogland Island, a Russian-controlled territory in the Gulf [of Finland], and resumed its route to Primorsk'. Russian outlet News-Pravda reported, 'Sailors from the Baltic Republic [Estonia] twice tried to land troops from a helicopter.' After the extraordinary clash, Nato state Estonia summoned the Russian Chargé d'Affaires in Tallinn, Lenar Salimullin, who was handed a note of protest, accusing the Putin warplane of violating the republic's airspace. Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said: "From Estonia's point of view, this is a very serious and regrettable incident that is in no way unacceptable." He demanded that Russia "must face tougher, faster sanctions" . The tanker had been near Naissaar Island, off Tallinn, when the Estonian Navy communicated with it by radio at 15:30 GMT on Tuesday, said Commander Ivo Vark. He added that it was was sailing "without a nationality' and Estonia "had an obligation to verify the vessel's documents and legal status". "The vessel denied cooperation and continued its journey toward Russia [...] given the vessel's lack of nationality, the use of force, including boarding the vessel, was deemed unnecessary.' Estonia escorted it until the vessel reached Russian waters. Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur said the ship was sent from Estonian to Russian territorial waters to prevent a threat to his country's critical infrastructure. 7 Russia continues to send devastating missiles into Ukraine Credit: AP 7 The aftermath of a Russian firestorm on the Sumy region of Ukraine this week Credit: AP He said: "The issue was the ship's flag state, and our most important goal was to ensure the security of critical infrastructure. This was achieved." The 800-ft long Jaguar is a crude oil tanker reportedly sailing under the flag of Gabon. The Equasis database suggested the ship changed its name and flag state at the beginning of February. According to this data its name is now Argent and its flag state is Guinea-Bissau. Putin uses a vast network of non-Russian tankers - called a shadow fleet - to avoid oil sanctions.
The Irish Sun
15-05-2025
- Politics
- The Irish Sun
Watch dramatic Nato vs Russia sea clash erupt as warplanes buzz Putin's ‘shadow fleet' vessel as it's ordered ‘stop NOW'
BOTH Nato and Russia scrambled warplanes in a dramatic dogfight over the Baltic Sea after a tense standoff over an undercover Russian tanker. Estonian sea and air forces stalked and tried to board an oil tanker called Jaguar - thought to be part of Russia's shadow fleet. Advertisement 7 A Russian Su-35 fighter jet, followed by a Polish Air Force MiG-29 Credit: East2West 7 Left to right: an Estonian AgustaWestland AW139 helicopter, M28 Skytruck aircraft and a Russian Su-35 fighter jet pictured over the Jaguar oil tanker during the standoff Credit: East2West 7 The Russian tanker crew goaded the Estonian helicopter forces Credit: East2West It was draped in the Gabon flag, but was sanctioned by Britain on Friday over accusations it is a Russian pawn. Nato aircraft - including Polish MiG-29s - were scrambled as the vessel refused to cooperate. In response, Russia scrambled a Su-35S fighter jet which is said to have violated Estonian airspace as it stormed in to cover for the fleeing Jaguar. In dramatic footage, the Polish Nato plane can be seen tailing the Russian Su-35 in a dogfight over the Gulf of Finland - part of the Baltic Sea. Advertisement read more on russia A Russian voice on the bridge of the tanker goaded the Estonians, calling them 'clowns' as they tried and failed to board. The tanker ultimately anchored near Gogland Island - controlled by Russia - in the eastern Baltic Sea. Footage shows the high drama in one of the most tense regions in the world amid disputes between Russia and Nato over Ukraine. 'This is how we're greeted with helicopters,' said a voice -apparently Russian - on the tanker. "They're demanding we anchor.' Advertisement Most read in The US Sun Exclusive A message is heard saying: 'This is Estonian warship Papa 6732. 'Your request will be denied. Satellite pics show Putin on the march as Russia masses troops 35 miles from Nato border with 2k soldiers & helicopters 'Follow my instructions. Immediately change course to 105. Over.' A voice from the tanker in Hindi says: 'That looks like our drone in front….' Advertisement A Russian voice demands: 'Go on, hit it running….' Referring to the Estonians, he says: 'What a bunch of clowns!' The Estonian vessel comes close to the tanker seeking to swerve it to the right. 7 The Russians communicated with the Estonians Credit: East2West Advertisement 7 The Jaguar oil tanker flying a Gabon flag, thought to be part of Russia's shadow fleet Credit: East2West An Estonian A139 helicopter and an M-28 Skytruck plane of the Estonian defence forces were seen circling the vessel. Boasting a success against the West, pro-Kremlin news outlet Izvestia reported: 'Despite this show of force, the Estonian authorities were unable to stop the vessel. 'The Jaguar ultimately reached Gogland Island, a Russian-controlled territory in the Gulf [of Finland], and resumed its route to Primorsk'. Advertisement Russian outlet News-Pravda reported, 'Sailors from the Baltic Republic [Estonia] twice tried to land troops from a helicopter.' After the extraordinary clash, Nato state Estonia summoned the Russian Chargé d'Affaires in Tallinn, Lenar Salimullin, who was handed a note of protest, accusing the Putin warplane of violating the republic's airspace. Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said: "From Estonia's point of view, this is a very serious and regrettable incident that is in no way unacceptable." He demanded that Russia "must face tougher, faster sanctions" . Advertisement The tanker had been near Naissaar Island, off Tallinn, when the Estonian Navy communicated with it by radio at 15:30 GMT on Tuesday, said Commander Ivo Vark. He added that it was was sailing "without a nationality' and Estonia "had an obligation to verify the vessel's documents and legal status". "The vessel denied cooperation and continued its journey toward Russia [...] given the vessel's lack of nationality, the use of force, including boarding the vessel, was deemed unnecessary.' Estonia escorted it until the vessel reached Russian waters. Advertisement Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur said the ship was sent from Estonian to Russian territorial waters to prevent a threat to his country's critical infrastructure. 7 Russia continues to send devastating missiles into Ukraine Credit: AP 7 The aftermath of a Russian firestorm on the Sumy region of Ukraine this week Credit: AP He said: "The issue was the ship's flag state, and our most important goal was to ensure the security of critical infrastructure. This was achieved." Advertisement The 800-ft long Jaguar is a crude oil tanker reportedly sailing under the flag of Gabon. The Equasis database suggested the ship changed its name and flag state at the beginning of February. According to this data its name is now Argent and its flag state is Guinea-Bissau. Putin uses a vast network of non-Russian tankers - called a shadow fleet - to avoid oil sanctions. Advertisement
Daily Mirror
08-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
VE Day: 'My Polish grandad chose to come to Britain to keep fighting'
Jozef Nowak was 17 when his town in Poland was invaded by the Nazis. He came to Britain to keep fighting - now his grandson Paul is General Secretary of the TUC The names go on and on – 2,165 in total – and above them lists of cities – 302 from the city of Poznan, 308 from Krakow, 316 from Warsaw and 318 from Gdansk. Above them sits a bronze eagle, the symbol of the Polish Air Force and part of the national coat of arms. Below, an inscription – 'To the memory of fallen Polish Airmen – Poleglym Lotnikom Polskim'. "My grandad Joe would have known many of these names," says Paul Nowak, General Secretary of the TUC, visiting the Polish Air Force monument to pay his respects on the 80th anniversary of VE Day. "Britain came into the war to stand up for Poland. In return Polish people put their lives on the line for Britain and to heed a wider call for democracy. "Joe was one of 18,000 Poles who came to the UK and served in the Air Force. He absolutely would have known some of these men who fought and lost their lives. "My granddad never talked about the war. He wasn't one of those to regale us with stories. But when he came to stay, he woke up with night terrors because of his experiences." Jozef Nowak was born in 1912 in Trzebinia, near Katowice in south-west Poland. When he was 17 years old, on September 1, 1939, Trezbinia was bombed by the Luftwaffe on the very first day of the German invasion of Poland and World War Two. Four days later, invading soldiers murdered 97 people in the town, which was swiftly annexed into Nazi Germany. Jozef joined the Polish Air Force and was among those pushed back by Axis forces through France and Belgium, eventually landing in Casablanca, Morocco, as part of Allied efforts to liberate North Africa. "In Casablanca, he faced a stark choice," Nowak says. "He was offered safe passage to the United States, which at that time was not part of the war, or to be sent to Britain to carry on the war effort." 18-year-old Jozef chose Britain and was sent to Liverpool to work as an aircraft engineer at the Napier factory, building engines for the Hawker Typhoon fighter-bombers that fought in the Battle of Britain, in which 145 Polish airmen flew. His Polish comrades went on to form the largest overseas contingent of the RAF's battle over the skies of Europe – with around 18 to 20,000 seeing active service, and 10 fighter and four bomber squadrons staffed entirely by Polish personnel. "It's important to me that there are hundreds of thousands of stories of people like Granddad Joe, who never made newspaper headlines, but stood up against fascism", Nowak says. "And, as we mark VE Day, it's important we recognise the contribution of everyone who joined the struggle for democracy – including those for whom Britain wasn't their home. Whether you were British, Polish, French, Indian, Canadian, people stood together. Some politicians prefer to forget this contribution. "VE Day isn't a day for party politics, but I think it's really important we reflect on the fact that democracy is under threat on both sides of the Atlantic. Around the globe, we've got people wrapping themselves in their national flags, who at the same time are undermining the very values and principles that make our democratic societies so fundamental. "So, today, let's remember the values our grandparents stood up for. For freedom and democracy – but also for the right to bring up your family in a decent community with a decent job in a decent home, standing beside our neighbours." In total, 2,408 Polish Airmen died during World War II, including those who died in training and in flying accidents. "People came together not just to defend a country but defend a set of values," Nowak says. "Wherever you came from, there was a sense you were genuinely all in this together. And after the war people like my granddad did as much to rebuild Britain as those who had lived in Liverpool all their lives. "Now, with the populist right on the rise, this has become a cautionary tale. Democracy doesn't happen by accident. It's something you have to fight to maintain. "I understand there is a lot of cynicism out there. But we've seen what the alternative to democracy looks like, and that was a legacy my granddad did not want to leave behind. We have to stand up for democracy, imperfect as we might think it is. "The RAF museum close by at Hendon records that after initial suspicions about Polish airmen coming to Britain, over the summer of 1940 "the people of Britain took the East Europeans to their hearts." The 1948 memorial to the Polish Airmen, lies in a memorial park in Ruislip, just off the A40 in West London, close to RAF Northolt, which served as the base for fighter squadrons. It was designed by the Polish sculptor Mieczyslaw Lubelski, a Jewish Holocaust survivor who had served in the 1944 Warsaw Uprising and survived a Nazi forced labour camp. An inscription on the back of the monument quotes the New Testament book of Timothy: "I have fought a good fight. I have finished my course. I have kept the faith." For many Polish people, VE Day is a moment for solemn remembrance, not celebration. As Polish Foreign minister Radosław Sikorski reflected today, it was the moment Poland "exchanged a German genocidal Nazi occupation for a totalitarian Soviet occupation and we only emerged into freedom 45 years later." May 8's echoes are still felt. "Being here is very moving," Nowak says, "But it's also important to learn the lessons. We should never stand by and watch the weak be oppressed – and we should never appease those who attempt to bully others on the world stage. "Appeasement only encourages those who don't give a damn about democracy. "It's also a reminder of the ambition of that generation 80 years ago. At a time when the country and continent were in ashes, there was a national effort to fight for the Britain they wanted to leave behind to their grandchildren. "On the 80th anniversary of VE Day, I will remember the generation who had the ambition to rebuild our country, and democracy that we can't take for granted. "That promise of a better Britain, that those people fought for all those years ago, is one we can't give up on, and it's one we need to recommit ourselves to today, as we remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice."
