RAF spy planes patrol Russian border in NATO power showcase to Putin | World | News
RAF surveillance planes patrolled NATO’s border with Russia, just days after a series of incursions into Western airspace, sending what defence secretary John Healey called “a powerful message of NATO unity” to Russian President Vladimir Putin. The two planes – an RC-135 Rivet Joint and a P-8A Poseidon – flew a 12-hour mission on Thursday, clocking up nearly 10,000 miles between them as they travelled from the High North along the border with Russia down past Belarus and Ukraine.
They were supported by a United States Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker from the 100th Air Refuelling Wing, which extended the operational reach of the two RAF aircraft, in a display of trans-Atlantic unity between NATO allies. The RC-135 Rivet Joint is specifically designed to listen to a wide range of signals across the electromagnetic spectrum, enabling it to eavesdrop on military communications. Meanwhile, the P-8A Poseidon, which specialises in anti-submarine warfare and can carry torpedoes and anti-ship missiles, flew a route focused around the Baltic Sea.
The KC-135 from the USAF’s 100th Air Refuelling Wing, based at RAF Mildenhall, played a vital role by providing essential air-to-air refuelling.
Mr Healey said: “This was a substantial joint mission with our US and NATO allies.
“Not only does this provide valuable intelligence to boost the operational awareness of our Armed Forces, but sends a powerful message of NATO unity to Putin and our adversaries.
“I want to thank the outstanding British personnel who carried out and supported this successful mission, alongside our allies. Their tireless work makes Britain safer, secure at home and strong abroad.”
Group Captain Matthew D’Aubyn, Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance Commander, added: “Missions like this demonstrate NATO’s unity and readiness to defend its members against any aggression.
“Our ability to operate seamlessly with USAF assets underscores the strength of the NATO alliance.
“The RAF remains committed to working alongside our Allies to ensure the safety and sovereignty of NATO airspace.”
The mission underlines simmering tensions with Moscow, coming as it does amid a sharp uptick in Russian aerial provocations that have tested NATO’s resolve.
Over the past eight months, since President Donald Trump‘s return to the White House, Russian forces have ramped up incursions into NATO airspace, with at least a dozen violations from the Baltics to the Black Sea.
These include Su-27 fighters buzzing allied planes and drones straying into sovereign skies, often halting commercial flights and sparking interceptor scrambles.
Last month, a Russian Orlan-10 drone penetrated deep into Polish territory near Ukraine, paralysing air traffic and vividly illustrating the simmering tensions.
The pattern appear to show Russia‘s growing boldness, exploiting perceived alliance weaknesses.
Recent cases include Il-20 planes skirting Finnish airspace for 45 minutes and Su-30 jets shadowing Romanian patrols in the Mediterranean, with one NATO official suggesting Putin was “testing our red lines”.
