Unyielding Russian aviation tactics remain a familiar concern, as per the Latvian air force commander's statements.

In the skies above the Baltic Sea, a pattern of Russian military aircraft activity has been observed, causing concern among neighbouring countries and international organisations.

According to the Latvian Defence Ministry, a total of 109 instances of Russian military aircraft have been detected over the outer border of Latvia's territorial waters this year until the end of August. This figure represents a slight increase in the presence of Russian planes, as highlighted by Masulis, a spokesperson for the ministry.

The incidents, which include six Russian aircraft identified over the Baltic Sea region on September 20 and 21, 2024, have been a common occurrence for the Russian air force. Notably, these aircraft did not have transponders, making them invisible to civilian radar and posing a potential danger to civilian aviation.

The absence of transponders can cause danger, as civilian controllers do not know about the presence of these unidentified aircraft. Moreover, the lack of visibility can lead to potential conflicts, as military aircraft may not be detected until they are within close proximity.

The appearance of such aircraft in the airspace over the Baltic Sea is monitored by NATO's Baltic Airspace Policing mission. On occasions when the Russian aircraft did not have their transponders turned on, as was the case on Friday and Saturday, the German fighter jets stationed in Latvia were raised to intercept the Russian aircraft.

Masulis, the spokesperson, stated that these incidents happen at least two to four times every week and are considered "everyday life" in the region. However, he did not consider the incident an emergency situation.

It is important to note that these incidents occurred during Russia's large-scale military exercises called "Okean-2024". The exercise, conducted by Russia, has raised concerns among neighbouring countries due to the potential for increased military activity in the region.

Despite the regular occurrence of these incidents, Masulis emphasised that the Latvian airspace was ensured not to be violated by the Russian aircraft. He also explained that the absence of transponders makes the aircraft invisible to civilian radar, which can lead to potential dangers if not properly managed.

The Russian air force has little regard for civilian life, and this practice is common for the Russian air force. However, it is crucial for all parties involved to maintain open lines of communication and adhere to international aviation regulations to ensure safety in the skies above the Baltic Sea.