NATO reconnaissance aircraft are showing increased activity near the borders of the Russian Federation

Several US and British reconnaissance aircraft are patrolling the skies near the Russian borders today. The main part of the reconnaissance work is traditionally carried out off the coast of Crimea, while the routes and composition of the group are somewhat unusual.

A Boeing P-8A Poseidon anti-submarine aircraft is operating over the Black Sea off the Romanian coast. To the south, closer to the Turkish coast, the sniffer RC-135W Rivet Joint circled throughout the day. The flight's route was somewhat different from usual, and it was accompanied by two Eurofighter Typhoon fighters.



Apparently, for greater safety, NATO military aircraft actually operated under the cover of civilian airliner routes. The Airbus A330 MRTT tanker aircraft ensured that the aircraft remained in the air for a long time. What is unusual is the absence of reconnaissance UAVs such as RQ-4 Global Hawk or MQ-9 Reaper over the Black Sea waters.




At the same time, another RC-135W Rivet Joint of the US Air Force monitors the northwestern borders of Russia parallel to the Murmansk-St. Petersburg line. Earlier during the day, Swedish Air Force aircraft were recorded approaching our borders in this area.


Let us note that the United States also complained today about the approach of the Russian Aerospace Forces to its borders. According to a statement by the North American Aerospace Defense Command NORAD, four Russian aircraft approached the coast of Alaska without, however, violating US or Canadian airspace. CBS News noted that Russian military aircraft did not pose a threat, but military activity in the area has recently increased.