NATO jets scrambled as nuclear-capable Russian bombers spark major alert

NATO jets scrambled as nuclear-capable Russian bombers spark major alertThe Russian Defence Ministry confirmed Tu-22M3 long-range bombers were escorted by Su-35 fighters during a four-hour mission over international waters as tensions in the Baltic deepenCommentsNewsWill Stewart Russia Correspondent, Christopher Mallett and Lauran O'Toole19:28, 20 Apr 2026Updated 19:39, 20 Apr 2026View 2 ImagesRussia has sent Tu-22M3 bombers over the Baltic Sea(Image: MoD Russia/e2w)NATO warplanes were scrambled to shadow nuclear-capable Russian strategic bombers flying a mission over the Baltic Sea, as tensions in the region continue to run dangerously high.‌Vladimir Putin's air force flew the sortie over international waters, with the Tu-22M3 aircraft accompanied by Russian Su-35 fighter jets. The Russian defence ministry's TV channel Zvezda acknowledged that NATO fighters had tracked the bombers. "At certain stages of the route, the aircraft were escorted by fighter jets from foreign states," the channel reported. "All flights are conducted in strict accordance with international rules for the use of airspace." An F-35, used by several NATO air forces, could be clearly spotted in Russian footage of the mission.‌The Kremlin's show of force came as Moscow levelled accusations that Finland and Baltic nations Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania had permitted Ukrainian drones to pass through their airspace to strike key Russian oil ports. Western nations have firmly rejected these allegations, as has Kyiv.‌Nevertheless, senior Russian officials, including foreign minister Sergei Lavrov, have issued stark warnings to the West that Moscow could retaliate.Russian security council secretary Sergei Shoigu invoked Russia's "inherent right" to self-defence, in what many interpreted as a veiled threat of potential military strikes against Finland, Estonia, Latvia or Lithuania.View 2 ImagesPutin's air force flew a four-hour mission over int...