Russian aircraft were detected flying in international airspace near the Baltic states, but had not activated their transponders.

NATO fighter jets were scrambled to intercept five Russian military aircraft flying over the Baltic Sea without flight plans or active transponders, the Latvian Air Force confirmed on Saturday.

The Russian planes were identified on two separate occasions, on Friday and Saturday, prompting a rapid response from NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission.

According to the Latvian Air Force, the Russian jets were detected flying in international airspace near the Baltic states, but had not activated their transponders, an electronic system that helps maintain safe air traffic control.

“Russian jets regularly enter the airspace above the Baltics with transponders switched off, likely to test the response of NATO states,” The Kyiv Independent reported, citing past instances of similar activities by Russian aircraft.

  • hddsx@lemmy.caEnglish
    14·
    2 months ago

    There’s generally a procedure for that:

    1. Common frequency warning (ie. Guard frequency, 122.75)
    2. Close flyby to make the airplane change direction
    3. Shoot

    If you skip the first two steps, you messed up and should be disciplined.

    Ideally, the country that made the mistake should reach out to the other country to prevent escalation.

    • Valmond@lemmy.worldEnglish
      4·
      2 months ago

      Sure you’re correct, but isn’t it, or shouldn’t it, also be:

      Do not try to fly in the airspace you are not supposed to fly in?

      I mean the Russians and before them the Soviets have done that deliberately since forever.

      • mkwt@lemmy.worldEnglish
        2·
        2 months ago

        122.75 is assigned for air-to-air communications.

        In some ways that’s good: you don’t want someone shouting about “YOU’RE ON GUARD”. On the other hand, in this situation you want to choose a frequency that your target is actually monitoring, and guard may fit that bill better.