UK Spy Plane Circles Russia’s Kaliningrad in Bold Intelligence-Gathering Mission

A Royal Air Force RC-135W Rivet Joint electronic intelligence aircraft conducted a patrol circling the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad, according to UK Defence Journal on October 14.

The flight is part of regular NATO intelligence-gathering operations along the Alliance’s eastern border. The United Kingdom has conducted similar surveillance missions for years, maintaining a steady presence in the region well before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

According to UK Defence Journal, the RC-135W’s flight paths are intentionally visible on public flight-tracking platforms, serving as a transparent signal of NATO activity.

Such missions allow observers to verify their frequency and scope, reflecting the Alliance’s commitment to deterrence and situational awareness in the Baltic area.

The Royal Air Force states that the RC-135W Rivet Joint is a specialized electronic surveillance aircraft capable of detecting and analyzing radar, communications, and other electromagnetic emissions.

“RC-135W Rivet Joint employs multidiscipline Weapons System Officer (WSO) and Weapons System Operator (WSOp) specialists whose mission is to survey elements of the electromagnetic spectrum in order to derive intelligence for commanders,” the RAF explains, cited by the UK Defence Journal.

The United Kingdom operates three Rivet Joint aircraft, which have been deployed in various theaters, including Operation Shader in the Middle East. Although formally designated as Airseeker, the aircraft is most commonly referred to by its US Air Force name—RC-135W Rivet Joint.

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While such reconnaissance flights over the Baltic Sea were routine prior to 2022, UK Defence Journal notes that their frequency has increased amid the ongoing Russian war against Ukraine.

The United States also conducts similar missions in coordination with the UK and other NATO members, forming part of a broader effort to monitor Russian military movements and maintain deterrence along the Alliance’s eastern frontier.

Earlier, the United States deployed P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft to Norway to conduct anti-submarine and intelligence missions over the Baltic Sea near Russia’s Kaliningrad region.

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