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Hungarian Gripen Jets Intercept Russian Warplanes Near Latvia in NATO Baltic Air Policing Mission
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Two Hungarian Gripen fighter jets were scrambled on September 25 from Šiauliai Air Base in Lithuania as part of NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission, NATO Air Command reported on September 25.
The jets intercepted a formation of Russian aircraft—including a Su-30, a Su-35, and three MiG-31s—flying near Latvian airspace.
NATO Air Command stressed that the swift response by the Hungarian pilots underscores the Alliance’s steadfast commitment to defending the Baltic region and safeguarding its eastern flank.
Two 🇭🇺 Gripen fighters on @NATO Baltic #AirPolicing scrambled on 25 Sep from Siauliai 🇱🇹 in response to a 🇷🇺 Su-30, Su-35 and 3x MiG-31 flying close to 🇱🇻 airspace
— NATO Air Command (@NATO_AIRCOM) September 25, 2025
🇭🇺 demonstrates the Alliance’s commitment to protecting and safeguarding the Baltics and the eastern flank pic.twitter.com/EMG035s0qm
European diplomats have warned the Kremlin that NATO is prepared to respond with full force—including shooting down Russian aircraft—if airspace violations continue, Bloomberg reported on September 25, citing officials familiar with the matter.
According to the report, British, French, and German envoys raised the issue during a tense meeting in Moscow this week, voicing concerns over a recent incursion by three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets into Estonian airspace. The diplomats, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the closed nature of the talks, concluded that the violation had been a deliberate tactic ordered by Russian commanders.
Moscow has denied the accusations, insisting its aircraft did not cross into Estonia and rejecting claims that it is probing NATO defenses. Russian officials also attributed a separate drone incident in Poland to a navigational error. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russian military flights are conducted in line with international rules.
Earlier, Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson announced that Swedish forces will take action to engage and shoot down any Russian aircraft that violate the country’s airspace.
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