Russian aircraft near Baltic sparks security concerns; UK on alert

Britain has scrambled Typhoon fighters twice in two days in the Baltic to intercept Russian aircraft, the defence ministry said. British Typhoons were launched on Wednesday to intercept two SU-27 fighters and an IL-22 and escorted the formation towards Russia.

On Tuesday, British Typhoon fighters scrambled out of Ämari Air Base in Estonia in response to two Russian SU-27 fighter aircraft and one IL-22 aircraft that were flying along the Baltic coast heading towards Kaliningrad. Britain took over the NATO Baltic Air Policing mission from the German Air Force last month. "We are committed to defending NATO's borders and will support our allies in deterring any threats," Mark Lancaster, minister for the armed forces, said.

(With inputs from agencies.)