NATO planes watch Russian planes over the Baltic Sea

Apr 24, 2026, 11:25
A2

NATO planes watch Russian planes over the Baltic Sea

Introduction

NATO has fighter planes in Lithuania. They watch Russian military planes. These planes fly over the Baltic Sea. Russia and NATO are not friendly because of the war in Ukraine.

Main Body

French and Romanian planes arrived in April 2024. They stay for four months. Their job is to find Russian planes that do not talk to air traffic control. Colonel Marin says this happens often. NATO must check the planes. On Monday, French planes went up to see two Russian bombers. The bombers had fighter planes with them. The Russian planes did not use their transponders. They did not talk to anyone. Many other countries also sent planes to watch. The French commander says they do not know why Russian pilots do this. Maybe they are not professional. Maybe they want to test NATO. NATO must always respond. They watch each other but do not fight. The goal is to stop problems, not start them. This helps the Baltic countries feel safe.

Conclusion

NATO continues these missions. They always have planes ready. The French and Romanian planes will leave in August. Italian planes will come. More interceptions will happen when weather gets better. NATO must stay careful to avoid accidents.

Vocabulary Learning

feel
to have a feeling or emotion感覺
Example:I feel happy.
fly
to move through the air飛
Example:Birds fly in the sky.
safe
not in danger安全
Example:The house is safe.
talk
to speak to someone說話
Example:We talk on the phone.
watch
to look at something carefully仔細看
Example:I watch TV every day.

Sentence Learning

NATO has fighter planes in Lithuania.
Simple present tense. Subject 'NATO' + verb 'has' + object 'fighter planes' + prepositional phrase 'in Lithuania'.本句使用一般现在时。主语为「NATO」，谓语为「拥有」，宾语为「战斗机」，介词短语「在立陶宛」作地点状语。
They watch Russian military planes.
Simple present tense. Subject 'They' + verb 'watch' + object 'Russian military planes'.本句使用一般现在时。主语为「他们」，谓语为「监视」，宾语为「俄罗斯军用飞机」。
These planes fly over the Baltic Sea.
Simple present tense. Subject 'These planes' + verb 'fly' + prepositional phrase 'over the Baltic Sea'.本句使用一般现在时。主语为「这些飞机」，谓语为「飞越」，介词短语「在波罗的海上空」作状语。
French and Romanian planes arrived in April 2024.
Simple past tense. Subject 'French and Romanian planes' + verb 'arrived' + prepositional phrase 'in April 2024'.本句使用一般过去时。主语为「法国和罗马尼亚的飞机」，谓语为「抵达」，介词短语「在2024年4月」作时间状语。
The bombers had fighter planes with them.
Simple past tense. Subject 'The bombers' + verb 'had' + object 'fighter planes' + prepositional phrase 'with them'.本句使用一般过去时。主语为「轰炸机」，谓语为「有」，宾语为「战斗机」，介词短语「伴随它们」作状语。
B2

NATO Air Policing Missions Over the Baltic Sea: Routine Interceptions of Russian Aircraft Amid Elevated Tensions

Introduction

NATO fighter jets, specifically French Rafale and Romanian F-16 units based at Šiauliai Air Base in Lithuania, have been carrying out regular interception missions against Russian military aircraft flying in international airspace over the Baltic Sea. These missions are part of NATO''s Baltic air-policing rotation. They take place amid increased tensions between NATO and Russia after Russia''s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Main Body

The French and Romanian detachments arrived in April 2024 for four-month rotations under NATO command. Their main job is to identify and monitor Russian aircraft that do not follow International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) rules – specifically, flights without active transponders, filed flight plans, or radio contact with air traffic controllers. According to Colonel Mihaita Marin, commander of the Romanian F-16 unit, such non-compliance happens often, either on purpose or by accident. As a result, NATO must scramble jets to check the aircraft''s identity and peaceful intent. He noted that interceptions are happening almost daily and are expected to increase with better spring weather. On a recent Monday, French Rafale jets were scrambled to intercept a pair of Russian Tu-22M3 strategic bombers. Each bomber carried supersonic anti-ship missiles (a type also used in Ukraine and capable of carrying nuclear warheads). They were escorted by Su-30 and Su-35 fighters. The Russian formation took off from an airbase near St. Petersburg and flew a four-hour route in international airspace. It passed near the coasts of Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland, then turned back as it approached Denmark. The French detachment reported that the Russian aircraft did not have transponders active, did not file flight plans, and did not establish radio contact. In addition, fighter jets from Sweden, Finland, Poland, Denmark, and Romania also launched to monitor the flight. NATO did not comment on the incident. Lieutenant Colonel Alexandre, commander of the French Rafale wing (his surname was not given for security reasons), stated that the reasons for Russian pilots'' behavior are unclear – whether it is a lack of professionalism or a deliberate test of NATO''s response procedures. He emphasized that each situation requires a NATO response, because ignoring such flights would be unacceptable. The French commander described the interactions as mutual observation and scrutiny, with both sides keeping distance and avoiding escalation. The main goal of these air-policing missions, according to commanders, is to deter rather than to provoke. They provide reassurance to the Baltic states (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania), which do not have their own air forces to defend against possible Russian aggression.

Conclusion

NATO''s Baltic air-policing operations continue as a routine but important way to monitor Russian military aviation activity in the region. The alliance keeps a constant presence through rotating detachments. The current French and Romanian units are scheduled to hand over to Italian forces in August. The number of interceptions is expected to increase further as weather improves. This shows the ongoing state of alert needed to manage the risk of accidental escalation between NATO and Russia.

Vocabulary Learning

deter
To discourage an action by instilling doubt or fear of consequences.威懾，阻止（行動）。
Example:The main goal of these air-policing missions is to deter rather than to provoke.
escalation
An increase in the intensity or scope of a conflict or situation.升級（衝突或局勢的強度或範圍擴大）。
Example:This shows the ongoing state of alert needed to manage the risk of accidental escalation between NATO and Russia.
interception
The act of stopping or diverting an aircraft in flight for identification or security purposes.攔截（飛機）以進行識別或安全檢查。
Example:Interceptions are happening almost daily and are expected to increase with better spring weather.
non-compliance
Failure to follow rules, regulations, or procedures.不遵守規則、法規或程序。
Example:Such non-compliance happens often, either on purpose or by accident.
scramble
To quickly launch aircraft for an emergency interception mission.緊急起飛（戰鬥機）以執行攔截任務。
Example:NATO must scramble jets to check the aircraft's identity and peaceful intent.

Sentence Learning

Their main job is to identify and monitor Russian aircraft that do not follow International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) rules – specifically, flights without active transponders, filed flight plans, or radio contact with air traffic controllers.
This sentence uses a relative clause ("that do not follow...") to specify which aircraft are being monitored. The relative clause provides essential information about the aircraft, making the sentence more precise.這個句子使用了關係從句（「that do not follow...」）來具體說明被監控的飛機。關係從句提供了關於飛機的必要資訊，使句子更精確。
On a recent Monday, French Rafale jets were scrambled to intercept a pair of Russian Tu-22M3 strategic bombers.
This sentence uses the passive voice ("were scrambled") to focus on the action (the scrambling) rather than the agent (who scrambled them). It is common in formal reporting to emphasize the event.這個句子使用了被動語態（「were scrambled」）來強調動作（緊急起飛）而非執行者（誰下令起飛）。在正式報導中常用被動語態來突出事件。
Lieutenant Colonel Alexandre, commander of the French Rafale wing (his surname was not given for security reasons), stated that the reasons for Russian pilots' behavior are unclear – whether it is a lack of professionalism or a deliberate test of NATO's response procedures.
This sentence contains a passive construction ("was not given") and a linking word pair ("whether...or") to present two alternative possibilities. The passive voice adds formality, and the "whether...or" structure clearly contrasts the two potential explanations.這個句子包含被動結構（「was not given」）和一組連接詞（「whether...or」）來提出兩個可能性。被動語態增加正式感，而「whether...or」結構清楚對比了兩種可能的解釋。
They provide reassurance to the Baltic states (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania), which do not have their own air forces to defend against possible Russian aggression.
This sentence uses a non-restrictive relative clause ("which do not have...") to add extra information about the Baltic states. The clause is set off by commas and provides context for why reassurance is needed.這個句子使用了非限制性關係從句（「which do not have...」）來補充關於波羅的海國家的額外資訊。從句由逗號分隔，提供了為何需要安撫的背景。
The number of interceptions is expected to increase further as weather improves.
This sentence uses the passive voice ("is expected") to report a prediction without specifying who expects it. The linking word "as" shows a cause-and-effect relationship between improving weather and increasing interceptions.這個句子使用了被動語態（「is expected」）來報告預測，而不指明誰預測。連接詞「as」顯示了天氣改善與攔截次數增加之間的因果關係。
C2

NATO Air Policing Missions Over the Baltic Sea: Routine Interceptions of Russian Aircraft Amidst Elevated Tensions

Introduction

NATO fighter aircraft, specifically French Rafale and Romanian F-16 detachments stationed at Šiauliai Air Base in Lithuania, have been conducting regular interception sorties against Russian military aircraft operating in international airspace over the Baltic Sea. These missions, part of the alliance''s Baltic air-policing rotation, occur in the context of heightened friction between NATO and Russia following the latter''s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Main Body

The French and Romanian detachments deployed at the beginning of April 2024 for four-month rotations under NATO command. Their primary task is to identify and monitor Russian aircraft that fail to comply with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) regulations—specifically, flights without activated transponders, filed flight plans, or radio communication with air traffic controllers. According to Colonel Mihaita Marin, commander of the Romanian F-16 unit, such non-compliance occurs frequently, either intentionally or inadvertently, necessitating NATO scrambles to verify the aircraft''s identity and peaceful intent. He noted that interception rates are approaching daily frequency and are expected to increase with improved spring weather conditions. On a recent Monday, French Rafale jets were scrambled to intercept a pair of Russian Tu-22M3 strategic bombers, each carrying supersonic anti-ship missiles (a type also used in Ukraine and capable of nuclear warhead carriage), escorted by Su-30 and Su-35 fighters. The Russian formation, originating from an airbase near St. Petersburg, flew a four-hour route in international airspace that passed near the coasts of Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland, before turning back as it approached Denmark. The French detachment reported that the Russian aircraft did not have transponders active, did not file flight plans, and did not establish radio contact. In addition to the French aircraft, fighter jets from Sweden, Finland, Poland, Denmark, and Romania also launched to monitor the flight. NATO did not provide comment on the incident. Lieutenant Colonel Alexandre, commander of the French Rafale wing (whose surname was withheld for security reasons), stated that the motivations behind Russian pilots'' behavior remain unclear—whether it stems from a lack of professionalism or a deliberate test of NATO response protocols. He emphasized that each instance requires a NATO response, as ignoring such flights would be unacceptable. The French commander described the interactions as a mutual observation and scrutiny, with both sides maintaining distance and avoiding escalation. The overarching objective of these air-policing missions, according to commanders, is deterrence rather than provocation, providing reassurance to the Baltic states (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania) which lack indigenous airpower to defend against potential Russian aggression.

Conclusion

NATO''s Baltic air-policing operations continue as a routine but critical mechanism for monitoring Russian military aviation activity in the region. The alliance maintains a constant presence through rotating detachments, with the current French and Romanian units scheduled to hand over to Italian forces in August. The frequency of interceptions is expected to rise further as weather conditions improve, reflecting the persistent state of vigilance required to manage the risk of unintended escalation between NATO and Russia.

Vocabulary Learning

deterrence
The action of discouraging an action or event through instilling doubt or fear of the consequences.威懾；遏制
Example:The overarching objective of these air-policing missions is deterrence rather than provocation.
indigenous
Originating or occurring naturally in a particular place; native.本土的；固有的
Example:The Baltic states lack indigenous airpower to defend against potential Russian aggression.
non-compliance
Failure or refusal to comply with a rule or regulation.不遵守；違規
Example:Such non-compliance occurs frequently, either intentionally or inadvertently, necessitating NATO scrambles to verify the aircraft's identity and peaceful intent.
scrutiny
Critical observation or examination.仔細審查；監視
Example:The French commander described the interactions as a mutual observation and scrutiny, with both sides maintaining distance and avoiding escalation.
sorties
A military mission or flight, typically by an aircraft.出擊任務 (軍事用語)
Example:NATO fighter aircraft have been conducting regular interception sorties against Russian military aircraft.

Sentence Learning

These missions, part of the alliance's Baltic air-policing rotation, occur in the context of heightened friction between NATO and Russia following the latter's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The main clause is 'These missions occur in the context of heightened friction'. The phrase 'part of the alliance's Baltic air-policing rotation' is a reduced relative clause (non-restrictive appositive) modifying 'missions'. The participial phrase 'following the latter's full-scale invasion of Ukraine' acts as a temporal adverbial, indicating the cause of the friction. This sentence demonstrates high lexical density and use of a reduced relative clause.主句為「These missions occur in the context of heightened friction」。片語「part of the alliance's Baltic air-policing rotation」是省略關係代詞的非限制性同位語，修飾「missions」。分詞片語「following the latter's full-scale invasion of Ukraine」作為時間狀語，表示摩擦的成因。此句展示了高詞彙密度及省略關係從句的用法。
On a recent Monday, French Rafale jets were scrambled to intercept a pair of Russian Tu-22M3 strategic bombers, each carrying supersonic anti-ship missiles (a type also used in Ukraine and capable of nuclear warhead carriage), escorted by Su-30 and Su-35 fighters.
The main clause is 'French Rafale jets were scrambled to intercept a pair of Russian Tu-22M3 strategic bombers'. The participial phrase 'each carrying supersonic anti-ship missiles' provides additional detail about the bombers. The parenthetical '(a type also used in Ukraine and capable of nuclear warhead carriage)' is an embedded noun phrase with reduced relative clauses ('also used' and 'capable of'). The final participial phrase 'escorted by Su-30 and Su-35 fighters' modifies the entire preceding noun phrase. This sentence features multiple layers of embedding and participial constructions.主句為「French Rafale jets were scrambled to intercept a pair of Russian Tu-22M3 strategic bombers」。分詞片語「each carrying supersonic anti-ship missiles」補充轟炸機的細節。括號內「(a type also used in Ukraine and capable of nuclear warhead carriage)」是嵌入的名詞片語，內含省略關係從句（「also used」及「capable of」）。最後的分詞片語「escorted by Su-30 and Su-35 fighters」修飾整個前面的名詞片語。此句具有多層嵌入及分詞結構。
Lieutenant Colonel Alexandre, commander of the French Rafale wing (whose surname was withheld for security reasons), stated that the motivations behind Russian pilots' behavior remain unclear—whether it stems from a lack of professionalism or a deliberate test of NATO response protocols.
The main clause is 'Lieutenant Colonel Alexandre stated that...'. The appositive 'commander of the French Rafale wing' is followed by a parenthetical relative clause '(whose surname was withheld for security reasons)'. The object clause 'that the motivations... remain unclear' contains a dash introducing an indirect question 'whether it stems from... or...'. This sentence uses an appositive, a parenthetical relative clause, and a whether-clause for rhetorical effect, demonstrating sophisticated subordination.主句為「Lieutenant Colonel Alexandre stated that...」。同位語「commander of the French Rafale wing」後接括號內的關係從句「(whose surname was withheld for security reasons)」。賓語從句「that the motivations... remain unclear」包含一個破折號引入間接疑問句「whether it stems from... or...」。此句運用了同位語、括號關係從句及 whether 從句，展示複雜的從屬結構。
The overarching objective of these air-policing missions, according to commanders, is deterrence rather than provocation, providing reassurance to the Baltic states (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania) which lack indigenous airpower to defend against potential Russian aggression.
The main clause is 'The overarching objective... is deterrence rather than provocation'. The interrupting phrase 'according to commanders' is a parenthetical adverbial. The participial phrase 'providing reassurance to the Baltic states' functions as a resultative modifier. The relative clause 'which lack indigenous airpower to defend against potential Russian aggression' further describes the Baltic states. This sentence combines a parenthetical, a participial phrase, and a non-restrictive relative clause, illustrating high syntactic complexity.主句為「The overarching objective... is deterrence rather than provocation」。插入語「according to commanders」是括號狀語。分詞片語「providing reassurance to the Baltic states」作為結果修飾語。關係從句「which lack indigenous airpower to defend against potential Russian aggression」進一步描述波羅的海國家。此句結合了插入語、分詞片語及非限制性關係從句，體現高度句法複雜性。
According to Colonel Mihaita Marin, commander of the Romanian F-16 unit, such non-compliance occurs frequently, either intentionally or inadvertently, necessitating NATO scrambles to verify the aircraft's identity and peaceful intent.
The main clause is 'such non-compliance occurs frequently'. The introductory phrase 'According to Colonel Mihaita Marin, commander of the Romanian F-16 unit' contains an appositive. The adverbial phrase 'either intentionally or inadvertently' modifies the verb. The participial phrase 'necessitating NATO scrambles to verify the aircraft's identity and peaceful intent' expresses a result or consequence. This sentence uses an appositive, a correlative conjunction pair ('either...or'), and a resultative participial phrase, demonstrating advanced grammatical structures.主句為「such non-compliance occurs frequently」。開首片語「According to Colonel Mihaita Marin, commander of the Romanian F-16 unit」包含同位語。副詞片語「either intentionally or inadvertently」修飾動詞。分詞片語「necessitating NATO scrambles to verify the aircraft's identity and peaceful intent」表達結果或後果。此句運用了同位語、關聯連詞對（「either...or」）及結果分詞片語，展示高級語法結構。