Russian military aircraft near the Baltic Sea were intercepted by NATO jets 110 times in 2016.
The number of intercepts was lower than the 160 recorded in 2015 and the 140 in 2014, Lithuanias Ministry of Defense said in a statement to Baltic news agency BNS. NATO has confirmed these figures to Newsweek.
However, this greatly exceeds the number of aerial encounters above the Baltic Sea before Russias annexation of Crimea in 2014; in 2013, NATO jets intercepted Russian aircraft 43 times.
Try Newsweek for only $1.25 per week
Major General Thierry Dupont, commander of NATOs Combined Air Operations Center, says that the number of intercepts has increased since 2014 because Russia is flying more aircraft in Baltic airspace, but also because the alliance has increased its air policing capabilities.
The vast majority of the interceptions were made before any incursion into sovereign allied airspace, although over the last 12 months Estonia has reported at least six airspace violations by Russian jets. Moscow has denied the accusations.
One of NATOs roles is to preserve the integrity of the Allies airspace, Dupont tells Newsweek. Missions like the Baltic Air Policing (BAP) demonstrate NATOs resolve and capability to ensure protection across allies airspace, including those allies that do not have their own Air Policing assets.
According to Dupont, the drop in intercepts over the Baltic in 2016 could be due to a shift in Russias focus towards operations in Syria in 2016.
Overall allied scrambles increased in 2016, compared to 2014 and 2015, largely because they also now account for Turkish Air Force patrolswhich are often under NATO commandalong Turkeys border with Syria.
The BAP mission is a rotational deployment in which all NATO members can participate to provide the Baltic states with an air force, in the form of four-month deployments. On Thursday, the French and German deployments at NATOs bases in Siauliai, Lithuania, and in Amari, Estonia, will be replaced by a Dutch deployment.
Original post:
NATO: Russian Aircraft Intercepted 110 Times Above Baltic in 2016
- NATO Protesters Receive 5- To 8-Year Prison Terms [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- NATO 3 get prison terms ranging from 5 to 8 years [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- Nato News [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- NATO - New World Encyclopedia [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- NATO - State [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- NATO: Definition from Answers.com - Answers - The Most ... [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- NATO - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- European observers detained in Ukraine are branded 'Nato spies' - Video [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- Furious Russia Proposes Retaliation Against NATO Countries! - Video [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- Latvia: US troops arrive in Baltics for NATO drill - Video [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- No NATO. May 2012. Archive. Chicago, Il - Video [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- Erkkio Tuomioja: "Nato suojaa Suomea meteoriiteilta". - Video [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- US troops arrive in Latvia for NATO exercises: Baltic states concerned by Russian military threat - Video [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- Voglio andare a vivere a Laveno dove e' nato Pozzetto - Video [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- OcaqTv - Rusiya NATO srhdini pozdu -- F-16-lar havaya qalxd - Video [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- Men of War Assault Squad Cold War Mod - NATO vs Warsaw Pact - Video [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- US troops in Poland: American soldiers arrive for NATO exercises in response to Russia threat - Video [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- Ancona 23-04-14 PdCI - La crisi dell'Ucraina, la NATO e l'UE: pericoli di guerra e lotta x la Pace - Video [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- Eastermonday Peace ralley NATO Bchel germany 21.04.2014 - Video [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- How to change Gear 2 Strap NATO no tool needed - Video [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- CNN: NATO Scrambles Fighter Jets To Investigate Russian Bombers! - Video [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- NATO to deploy recon flights over Poland [Last Updated On: April 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2014]
- Marine Le Pen: Vyvediem Franczsko z NATO - francztina, rutina - Video [Last Updated On: April 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2014]
- Warum NATO/USA Russland einkreisen und erobern wollen - Video [Last Updated On: April 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2014]
- 5 NATO troops killed in Kandahar Afghanistan UK's helicopter crash - Video [Last Updated On: April 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2014]
- NATO troops killed in Afghanistan helicopter crash - Video [Last Updated On: April 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2014]
- Prostittas priecjas par NATO karavriem Latvij - Video [Last Updated On: April 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2014]
- Slovakia: NATO exercises in Central Europe - Video [Last Updated On: April 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2014]
- NATO - Video [Last Updated On: April 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2014]
- MV Bill - A Luz #PersianaBaixaMix (prod. DJ Nato pk) Part. @KmillaCdd - Video [Last Updated On: April 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2014]
- "NATO 3" individuals sentenced - Video [Last Updated On: April 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2014]
- Conversation: NATO's Evolving Mission - Video [Last Updated On: April 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2014]
- NATO planes chase out Russian bombers - Video [Last Updated On: April 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 27th, 2014]
- NATO military response 'almost unthinkable' [Last Updated On: April 28th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 28th, 2014]
- NATO supply trucks stuck in Pakistan - Video [Last Updated On: April 28th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 28th, 2014]
- NATO News and Video - FOX News Topics - FOXNews.com [Last Updated On: April 28th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 28th, 2014]
- Poland: French Rafale fighter jets join NATO force - Video [Last Updated On: April 28th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 28th, 2014]
- RAF Deploys Typhoon Jets To Bolster Nato Air Policing Mission - Video [Last Updated On: April 28th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 28th, 2014]
- DatSyn News - USA And NATO Moving Closer To War With Russia - Video [Last Updated On: April 28th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 28th, 2014]
- Germany: Pro-Russians rally against NATO in Frankfurt - Video [Last Updated On: April 28th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 28th, 2014]
- Rasmussen: No need for NATO in Syria - Video [Last Updated On: April 28th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 28th, 2014]
- BREAKING: UK Helicopter Crashes, 5 NATO Troops Dead in Afghanistan - Video [Last Updated On: April 28th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 28th, 2014]
- NATO Jets Intercept Russian Nuclear Bombers in North Sea Region... - Video [Last Updated On: April 28th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 28th, 2014]
- NATO exercise scenario: Naval response to invasion of allied country [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2014]
- April 28 2014 Breaking News NATO minesweepers set off on Baltic deployment - Video [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2014]
- WW3 - Its Official, SYRIAN TERRORISTS trained by ISRAEL & NATO to cause VIOLENCE and TERRO - Video [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2014]
- NATO forces serve world bankers: Analyst - Video [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2014]
- NATO Fest 2014 - Video [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2014]
- 2 NATO troops killed in attack in eastern Afghanistan - Video [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2014]
- NATO Holds Largest Post Cold War Drill Near Russia's Borders - Video [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2014]
- 65 years of NATO delivering democracy.in a full metal jacket - Video [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2014]
- AZD FEAT NATO - FREESTYLE BPC - Video [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2014]
- RAF Typhoons Arrive in Lithuania to Reinforce NATO Air Policing Mission - Video [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2014]
- RAF Jets Respond To Ukraine Crisis 28.04.14 - Video [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2014]
- NATO expansion to Ukraine will be grievous mistake for US - last US ambassador to USSR - Video [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2014]
- Sunday 4/27/2014 - Tarpley Points Out Fake-OSCE Observers Are Actually NATO Military Officers - Video [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2014]
- Helicopter crash kills 5 NATO troops in south Afghanistan - Video [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2014]
- Are doctors lying to you? Russia and NATO, Google Doodles - DKNews with 8byte - Video [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2014]
- i am NATO - Video [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2014]
- AP Interview: Tymoshenko calls for NATO membership - Video [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2014]
- STEFANO BORGONOVO:ATTACCANTE NATO IL DOCUMENTARIO - Video [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2014]
- RAF Deploys Typhoon Jets To Bolster NATO Air Policing Mission [Last Updated On: May 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 1st, 2014]
- NATO opens second Baltic air base in Estonia with 4 Danish fighter jets amid Ukraine crisis [Last Updated On: May 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 1st, 2014]
- NATO triples fighter jets in Baltic countries - Video [Last Updated On: May 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 1st, 2014]
- Lithuania: US hands over NATO air patrol to UK - Video [Last Updated On: May 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 1st, 2014]
- Ukraine: Kerry announces more support from NATO towards coup - Video [Last Updated On: May 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 1st, 2014]
- NATO Power Turkish Military Industry Made in Turkey in 5 Years - Video [Last Updated On: May 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 1st, 2014]
- Scoring Political Points? NATO bolsters forces in Eastern Europe - Video [Last Updated On: May 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 1st, 2014]
- Arctic Trucks Hilux Matte NATO - Best Tuning - Video [Last Updated On: May 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 1st, 2014]
- Putin: NATO Chief Rasmussen secretly taped, leaked meeting when he was Danish PM - Video [Last Updated On: May 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 1st, 2014]
- Russia Accuses NATO of 'Provocative' Actions - Video [Last Updated On: May 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 1st, 2014]
- Video: US deploys troops to Estonia - Video [Last Updated On: May 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 1st, 2014]
- NATO & its future NAZI headquarters - Video [Last Updated On: May 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 1st, 2014]
- OSCE team in Ukraine NATO spies: Analyst - Video [Last Updated On: May 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 1st, 2014]
- NATO's soft war on Russia [Last Updated On: May 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 2nd, 2014]
- NATO allies take over Baltic mission from Air Force [Last Updated On: May 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 2nd, 2014]
- NATO official says Russia must now be viewed as more of an enemy than a partner [Last Updated On: May 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 2nd, 2014]
- NATO official says Russia now an adversary [Last Updated On: May 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 2nd, 2014]
- NATO official: Russian moves in Ukraine pose 'grave challenge' to global security system [Last Updated On: May 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 2nd, 2014]
- North Atlantic Treaty Organization - The New York Times [Last Updated On: May 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 2nd, 2014]