RAF fighter jets have flown into Polish airspace for the first time as the UK sends a “clear signal to Vladimir Putin”.
The response comes as Russian military jets violated Estonia’s airspace, which marked Moscow’s third incursion into Nato’s eastern flank.
Defence Minister John Healey said the jets patrol across Polish airspace sends “a clear signal Nato airspace will be defended”.
Two Royal Air Force Typhoons took off from a British military base in eastern England on Friday night to patrol Polish skies and deter and defend against aerial threats from Russia, including drones.
The Government said it was a response to the “most significant violation” of Nato airspace by the Russian President.
Air Chief Marshal Harv Smyth, Chief of the Air Staff, confirmed the British jets joining the allies along Nato’s eastern flank.
He said: “We remain agile, integrated, and ready to project airpower at range.”
The Government has promised to commit 2.6 per cent of GDP to boost defence spending by April 2027, in a signal to US President Donald Trump that the UK can help grow Europe’s security.
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Defence Secretary John Healey condemned the initial violation of Nato airspace by Russia
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PAThe US President has criticised European nations for not spending enough on defence and relying on American investment.
The Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the UK is the leader of the camp which wants to continue the war in Ukraine.
Mr Peskov said the multiple attempts by Western powers to increase the pressure on Russia will not work and would not help attempts to end the war.
His comments come as three Russian military jets violated Estonia’s airspace for 12 minutes on Friday.
Estonia, a Nato member, called the move an “unprecedentedly brazen” incursion, as it increases tensions between Russia and Western Europe.
Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said Russia had already violated the Nato ally’s airspace four times this year, “which is unacceptable in itself, but today’s violation, during which three fighter jets entered our airspace, is unprecedentedly brazen”.
He added: “Russia’s ever-increasing testing of borders and aggressiveness must be responded to by rapidly strengthening political and economic pressure.”
A Nato spokesman said the Russian jets had “violated Estonian airspace”, adding “Nato responded immediately and intercepted the Russian aircraft”.
The Estonian Government said the incident involved a trio of MiG-31 fighter jets (file photo)
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GETTY“This is yet another example of reckless Russian behaviour and Nato’s ability to respond,” the spokesman said.
Mr Healey condemned the move, saying it was one of Russia’s “latest reckless and dangerous activity is the third violation of Nato airspace in recent days”.
President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said: “Europe stands with Estonia in the face of Russia’s latest violation of our airspace. We will respond to every provocation with determination while investing in a stronger eastern flank.”
Russia’s Defence Ministry denied its jets violated Estonian airspace, saying they flew over neutral waters.
