NATO intercepted Russian bombers and fighter jets over the Baltic Sea, showcasing air power on its eastern flank. French Rafale fighters from Lithuania joined forces with jets from several other countries to monitor the Russian flight, which included Tu-22M3 bombers and SU-30/SU-35 fighters. The Russian Defence Ministry stated the flight was scheduled and compliant with international rules. NATO routinely scrambles jets to intercept Russian aircraft that approach its airspace, with a history of such interceptions increasing since the Ukraine conflict.