NATO jets scrambled to intercept Russian aircraft over Norway this week as Moscow’s military provocations continue to escalate. On Tuesday, Italy’s Air Force intercepted a Russian Coot-A reconnaissance aircraft over the Baltic Sea, while Norway’s Air Force was dispatched to identify multiple Russian planes flying near Norway’s coast.
The intercepts came in response to Russian aircraft not adhering to international flight norms, a pattern that has become increasingly common in recent days.
This latest escalation follows a series of similar incidents. In September, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) tracked several Russian aircraft near Alaska, including one close encounter in which a Russian fighter jet came within feet of a U.S. F-16 near the coast. In July, both U.S. and Canadian fighter jets intercepted Chinese and Russian bombers off the Alaskan coast, though the bombers did not breach U.S. or Canadian sovereign airspace.
These repeated intrusions have raised concerns within NATO, prompting increased air patrols and heightened readiness. The continuous presence of Russian military aircraft near NATO borders signals a growing challenge for the alliance, underscoring the importance of swift and coordinated responses to safeguard member nations’ airspace.
European leaders are growing increasingly concerned as Donald Trump, poised to return to the White House, has pledged to cut funding for Ukraine and grant Russian President Vladimir Putin greater latitude, stating he would let Putin do ‘whatever the hell he wants.’
