NATO air policing missions around Estonia see F-35 and Rafale jets intercept multiple Russian aircraft

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NATO air policing missions near Estonia have involved Dutch F-35s and French Rafale jets intercepting Russian aircraft in the Baltic region. On Friday, French Rafales scrambled for the first time since their deployment in Lithuania, intercepting a Russian Ilyushin Il-18 near Estonia’s coast. Last week, Dutch F-35s intercepted three Russian aircraft over the Baltic Sea, according to the Dutch defense ministry. These missions highlight NATO’s ongoing efforts to monitor and secure Baltic airspace amid rising tensions with Russia.

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