In a concerning escalation of tensions over the Baltic Sea, a French Atlantique 2 maritime patrol aircraft was subjected to Russian military intimidation. The aircraft was engaged in an international NATO operation when it was targeted by the fire-control radar of a Russian S-400 surface-to-air missile system. The incident occurred between Wednesday night and Thursday morning while the aircraft was flying in international airspace over the Baltic Sea.
French Minister of Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu condemned the act, labelling it an “aggressive” manoeuvre by Russia. “This action is not acceptable,” he declared in a statement on social media, reaffirming France’s commitment to upholding international law and ensuring the freedom of navigation in both international airspace and maritime zones. While no physical engagement occurred, the use of fire-control radar against an aircraft is widely viewed as a serious provocation that raises concerns over potential miscalculations and the risk of escalation.
This latest development adds to ongoing tensions between NATO and Russia, particularly in the wake of the ongoing war in Ukraine. France has reiterated its stance on continuing operations to safeguard international security, asserting that its armed forces “will continue to act to defend freedom of navigation in international airspace and waters.”
Dans la nuit de mercredi à jeudi, un avion de patrouille maritime Atlantique 2 français a été la cible de mesures d’intimidation russes.
Il patrouillait en espace aérien international au-dessus de la mer baltique, dans le cadre d’une opération de l’OTAN, et a été illuminé par le…
— Sébastien Lecornu (@SebLecornu) January 17, 2025
