Hundreds of Fighter Jets Against Russia

NATO stated today, Friday, that the alliance's air forces have launched their aircraft over 300 times to confront Russian military aircraft this year. The alliance noted, "The vast majority of air encounters between NATO and Russian aircraft were safe and professional. Instances of Russian military aircraft violating NATO airspace were generally rare and brief," adding that most air violations occurred over the Baltic Sea. NATO spokesperson Dylan White said in a statement, "NATO fighter jets are on duty around the clock and ready to take off if suspicious or unannounced flights are detected near the airspace of our allies." Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February of last year, NATO significantly enhanced its air defenses on the eastern flank with more fighter jets, surveillance patrols, and ground-based air defense systems.