Rare Russian Tu-134UBL Bomber Trainer Spotted Near NATO Airspace Over Baltic

A rare Russian Tu-134UBL bomber‑training aircraft was spotted near NATO airspace over the Baltic Sea, flying in formation with Su‑30 fighter jets and what appeared to be a Su‑24 bomber or reconnaissance aircraft.

According to NATO Air Command, Italian Eurofighter Typhoons deployed to Ämari Air Base in Estonia were dispatched as part of the Baltic Air Policing mission and carried out the intercept.

According to NATO Air Command, the Russian aircraft did not file a flight plan or maintain radio contact, prompting the standard NATO response. The incident was later examined in detail by Defense Express and The Aviationist, which highlighted the unusual nature of the aircraft involved.

The aircraft identified during the intercept was a Tu‑134UBL (also designated Tu‑134UBKM), a specialized modification of the Soviet Tu‑134 passenger jet.

The UBL variant features the elongated radar‑training nose of the Tu‑22M bomber and avionics from long‑range combat aircraft. These upgrades allow Russian crews to train for missions on Tu‑160 and Tu‑22M3 strategic bombers.

The jet involved reportedly carried the registration RF‑12041 and the alternative marking Tu‑134A‑4, a designation frequently used interchangeably with UBL variants.

Within Russian military aviation, this specific aircraft is informally known as the “Black Pearl,” reflecting its rarity and hybrid configuration. Despite its training role, the aircraft retains a full passenger cabin, enabling it to transport personnel or senior officials.

According to Defense Express, Russia has approximately 17 Tu‑134UBL aircraft still in active service, with around 25 others in storage. Ukraine previously operated seven of these aircraft at air bases in Mykolaiv and Pryluky.

Although primarily used for bomber‑crew training, the RF‑12041 aircraft has also been documented in roles involving personnel transport, including flights to and from Kaliningrad.

The appearance of the aircraft comes amid a period of increased Russian military activity in the Baltic region. In October, Lithuanian authorities reported that a Russian Su‑30 and an Il‑76‑based tanker violated Lithuanian airspace during an aerial refueling exercise originating from Kaliningrad.

Russia had previously signaled plans to retire the Tu‑134 fleet following a fatal civilian crash in 2011. However, according to Defense Express, Russian defense officials reversed that decision in 2013, citing the need for training platforms to support long‑range aviation.

Earlier on October 28, Polish Air Force MiG-29 fighters intercepted a Russian Il-20 reconnaissance aircraft over the Baltic Sea. According to the Polish Armed Forces, the Russian plane was flying without a flight plan and with its transponder off. The Polish pilots identified and escorted it out of their area of responsibility.

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