Spain intercepts Russian Su-30SM combat jet

Spanish Air Force EF-18M fighter jets intercepted Russian combat aircraft flying near NATO airspace over the Baltic region in late January, as part of NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission, according to Spain’s Defense Staff.

The interception was carried out by F-18M aircraft from Spain’s Wing 15, currently deployed to Šiauliai Air Base in northern Lithuania under the Vilkas detachment. The Spanish fighters identified and escorted Russian aircraft flying in international airspace close to allied borders before returning safely to base, the Spanish Defense Staff said in a statement on January 28.

“Wing 15 F-18M aircraft deployed in Lithuania as part of the Vilkas detachment intercepted Russian Air Force fighter aircraft flying in international waters near allied airspace,” Spain’s Defense Staff said. “The Spanish fighters identified the aircraft and escorted them until they entered their own airspace. The F-18s then returned to Šiauliai Air Base without incident.”

The intercepted aircraft included Russian Su-30SM multirole fighters armed with air-to-air missiles and cluster munitions. The presence of such weapons during routine airspace approaches underscores the operational nature of the flights and the readiness posture of Russian aviation in the region.

Spain’s Defense Staff also released images of one of the intercepted aircraft, identified as Su-30SM “81 Blue” with tail number RF-81885. Although initially referred to as part of the Russian Air Force, markings visible on the tail show the aircraft belongs to the Naval Aviation branch of the Russian Navy.

The interception took place shortly after Spain assumed a new rotation in the Baltic Air Policing mission. At the end of November, ten EF-18M fighters from Wing 15 replaced ten Eurofighters from Wing 11 at Šiauliai Air Base, marking the first time Spain has carried out two consecutive rotations of the NATO mission. Spanish officials said the extended presence reflects increased Russian air activity near Poland and the Baltic states in recent months.

NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission is a continuous operation designed to safeguard the airspace of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, which do not maintain their own fighter fleets. Allied aircraft are tasked with identifying and escorting military planes that approach or fly close to NATO airspace without flight plans or transponders.