Hungarian Gripens scramble as five Russian jets approach Latvian airspace from the Baltic

Hungarian fighter jets intercepted five Russian military jets flying near Latvia’s airspace on 25 September, NATO Air Command reported. The incident took place amid growing concerns about Russian provocations against NATO states during the ongoing war against Ukraine.

NATO intercepts Russian military aircraft near Latvia

NATO Air Command says two Hungarian Gripen fighters were scrambled from Šiauliai, Lithuania, on 25 September to intercept a five-ship formation of Russian jets approaching Latvian airspace over the Baltic Sea. NATO confirmed the Russian aircraft consisted of one Su-30, one Su-35, and three MiG-31s.

According to NATO Air Command, the Russian jets were flying close to NATO airspace and failed to comply with international flight safety regulations. The intercept was carried out under the Alliance’s Baltic Air Policing mission, which operates on a 24/7 basis to secure the airspace of NATO’s eastern flank.

Russian provocations draw sharper warnings from Europe

Bloomberg noted on 25 September that European diplomats had privately warned the Kremlin of a possible military response if Russia continues violating allied airspace.