Russian pilots were heading from Kaliningrad to mainland Russia on July 15 but did not report to civilian air traffic control, NATO Air Command has reported.

“No transponder, no coordination w/civilian air traffic control: Yesterday, Russian fighters were tracked & intercepted by the Finnish Air Force & Swedish Air Force, in close cooperation with NATO's CAOC (Combined Air Operations Center),” NATO Air Command wrote on X.

“Allied integration is our strength,” it added.

🚨No transponder, no coordination w/civilian air traffic control: Yesterday, Russian fighters were tracked & intercepted by the @FinnishAirForce & Swedish Air Force, in close cooperation with NATO's CAOC. Allied integration is our strength💪

Learn more: https://t.co/7ihoZ94Jt3 pic.twitter.com/aodmpeUN82

— NATO Air Command (@NATO_AIRCOM) July 16, 2024

Finland's F/A-18 Hornet and Sweden's JAS-39 Gripen were deployed on Monday after detecting two Russian fighters flying from Kaliningrad.

The operation, confirmed by NATO, highlighted allied coordination under Quick Reaction Alert protocols.

Finland joined NATO in spring 2023, with Sweden following in March 2024. Their air forces now coordinate with NATO’s Combined Air Operations Centre in Germany, overseeing northern European airspace.