North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) took to social media Thursday to announce the Italian Air Force intercepted a Russian Coot-A jet over the Baltic Sea.

In response to repeated Russian aerial incursions, NATO forces mobilized Tuesday as Italian and Norwegian fighter jets intercepted multiple Russian aircraft straying close to NATO territories, according to NATO Allied Air Command. These interceptions, conducted under NATO’s Air Policing mission, were necessary as Russian aircraft ignored international aviation protocols.

“On Tuesday, Italian 🇮🇹 and Norwegian 🇳🇴 jets scrambled under #NATO authority responding to Russian 🇷🇺 aircraft not adhering to international norms,” NATO Allied Air Command wrote.

Norwegian jets scrambled to identify and monitor a group of Russian military aircraft navigating close to Norway’s borders but still in international airspace, according to NATO Allied Air Command. This ongoing presence of Russian jets near NATO airspace has raised concerns across Europe, The Hill reported.

NATO did not disclose the purpose of the Russian flights, though recent months have seen an uptick in similar incidents as Russian warplanes have frequently tested NATO’s readiness, with U.S. forces intercepting Russian and Chinese aircraft near Alaska in July, CBS News reported. In February 2024, four Russian aircraft were detected in the same area, following other sightings in May and February 2023.

With Russian aircraft continuing to test NATO’s defenses, French and German officials acknowledged last Wednesday that Europe must boost its defense spending, especially with President-elect Donald Trump returning to office, according to Politico EU. Trump’s decisive victory over Vice President Kamala Harris signals a shift, with European leaders preparing for a renewed emphasis on self-reliant security strategies.

Featured Image Credit: RAF