NATO fighter jets have sharply increased the number of intercepts of Russian aircraft
In July 2026, NATO fighter jets were scrambled significantly more often to intercept Russian aircraft near the Alliance’s borders. According to data cited by the media, the number of such sorties increased by 250% compared to July of last year.
This increase in activity is attributed to more frequent flights by Russian military aircraft near the airspace of NATO countries.
In such cases, Alliance fighter jets are quickly scrambled to escort and identify Russian aircraft, preventing violations of NATO member states’ airspace.
"The numbers don’t lie! Compare July 2025 with July 2026—and the picture becomes clear: the number of fighter jet sorties on NATO’s eastern flank has increased by more than 250%,” the statement reads.
They also note that Russian military aircraft have repeatedly flown near NATO airspace without a flight plan or transponder signal, forcing NATO fighter jets to scramble, intercept, and identify them.
"Every intercept mission proves that we are on high alert. Every intercept proves that NATO airspace is protected," the command stated.
This is stated in a post by NATO’s X Joint Forces Command in Central and Eastern Europe.
NATO fighter jets have intercepted Russian aircraft over the Baltic region three times.
The first service members of the German brigade, which will be deployed in Lithuania, will move to the Rudninkai military town as early as the fall of 2026.
