Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 03:37pm on 11 Oct 2025,Saturday International
Britain deployed two Royal Air Force aircraft on a 12-hour joint mission with US and NATO forces near Russia's border Thursday, responding to recent Russian drone and aircraft incursions into NATO airspace. Defence Minister John Healey called it a "substantial joint mission" sending a "powerful message of NATO unity" to Putin. An RC-135 Rivet Joint surveillance aircraft and P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol plane flew from the Arctic past Belarus and Ukraine, supported by US Air Force KC-135 refuelling. The operation followed Russian incursions into Poland, Romania, and Estonia's airspaces. Healey emphasized the mission provides valuable intelligence boosting operational awareness. Earlier this month, EU leaders backed plans strengthening defences against Russian drones. (PC: X)
