NATO and Russia Tensions Escalate
Introduction
In September, tensions between NATO and Russia were heightened after a series of incursions by Russian military aircraft into NATO airspace. The latest event in this ongoing conflict occurred when German and Swedish jets intercepted a Russian military plane over the Baltic Sea, according to NPR.
Key Details
This is just one of many incidents where Russian military planes have encroached on NATO airspace in recent years. In April 2019, a Russian military plane buzzed a US Navy ship in the Mediterranean, coming within 100 feet of the ship. In 2017, Russian jets flew dangerously close to a US Navy destroyer in the Black Sea, causing the ship to take evasive maneuvers.
The increased aggression from Russia has led to a significant increase in NATO's air policing missions, as well as more frequent interceptions of Russian military planes. These actions are seen as a show of force and a way for Russia to assert its dominance in the region.
Impact
The ongoing tensions between NATO and Russia have raised concerns about potential conflicts and the need for increased military readiness. In response to the recent events, NATO has called for Russia to abide by international law and respect the sovereignty of other nations. However, it is yet to be seen if these calls will have any impact on Russia's actions.
The intercepted Russian military plane over the Baltic Sea is just
