NATO jets were dispatched in response to Russian Tu-22M3 strategic bombers showcasing their strength above the Baltic Sea. Video footage captured Russian Tupolev bombers, specialized for carrying nuclear arms, conducting a mission in the “neutral waters” of the Baltic region.
The Russian defense ministry confirmed that fighter escort was provided by crews operating Su-35S and Su-27 aircraft from the Aerospace Forces. NATO warplanes tracked the Russian bombers during the more than five-hour flight, with foreign state fighters accompanying them at certain points along the route.
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin denied any plans to attack Europe, labeling such claims as “ridiculous.” However, he asserted his commitment to continuing aggression in Ukraine until Kyiv agrees to cede the territories he seeks to control in the Donbas region. Putin warned that if Ukrainian troops do not withdraw from the occupied territories, Russia will resort to military force to achieve its objectives.
Putin’s statements undermine hopes for an early peace agreement brokered by former U.S. President Donald Trump, coinciding with the upcoming visit of envoy Steve Witkoff to Moscow next week. Criticizing Western leaders, Putin accused them of being “out of their minds” or “crooks” for suggesting that Russia might expand its aggression beyond Ukraine to target other European nations.
During a press conference, Putin mistakenly referred to a non-existent Ukrainian city, Komsomolsk, where he claimed Russian forces were making advances. The correct city name is likely Kostiantynivka, highlighting a blunder by the 73-year-old Kremlin leader.