British Royal Air Force aircraft undertook a 12-hour mission together with American and NATO forces, patrolling the border of Russia. This was reported by the British Ministry of Defense on Saturday, October 11.
According to Reuters, the operation took place against the backdrop of a series of recent incursions by Russian drones and aircraft into the airspace of NATO member countries.
'It was a large-scale joint mission with our allies from the USA and NATO,' said Defense Minister John Healey. He added that such an operation 'not only provides valuable intelligence to enhance the operational awareness of our Armed Forces but also sends a powerful signal of NATO unity to Putin and our adversaries.'
On Thursday, two British aircraft - the RC-135 Rivet Joint (a signals intelligence aircraft) and the P-8A Poseidon (a maritime patrol aircraft) - flew from the Arctic region past Belarus and Ukraine. The operation was supported by the American KC-135 tanker from the US Air Force.
The British Ministry of Defense noted that the operation followed incursions into the airspace of NATO member countries, including Poland, Romania, and Estonia.
British aircraft, together with American and NATO forces, patrolled the border of Russia in response to the increased activity of Russian drones and aircraft in the airspace of NATO member countries. The operation was an important signal of ally unity and a reaffirmation of support for collective security measures.