Pedro Sánchez’s press conference suddenly interrupted by a threat from the Russian Air Force

A moment of tension arose on Thursday at a NATO base in Lithuania, when Spanish President Pedro Sánchez and his Lithuanian counterpart Gitanas Nauseda had to interrupt a joint press conference due to the presence in the country’s airspace of two unidentified Russian fighter jets.

In the video for the episode, Nauseda can be seen speaking when officers approach her and they alienate him and the Spanish prime minister. Meanwhile, technicians approach a Eurofighter located behind the backs of the two leaders.

During the Lithuanian President’s first intervention, the alarm sounded indicating that the detection of unidentified aircraft, and everyone present had to clear the area so that the Eurofighter could leave. A voice that screams that This is an “Alpha” type incident. indicates that this is a real threat situation and not a simulation.

Government sources said it was a real alarm. The Eurofighter had to take off urgently to communicate with the unidentified Russian plane and alert the pilot that had violated the airspace of the Baltic Republic.

The press conference resumed about 25 minutes later. Available information reveals the plane was flying over the Baltic Sea not identified and without prior communication with civilian control towers.

“This morning, two NATO Eurofighter fighters took off to identify two planes flying in the Baltic Sea. They identified two SU-24s heading northeast, ”Atlantic Alliance sources told EFE.

These two Russian attack jets did not send a flight plan, did not turn on their transponders and did not speak to air traffic controllers, they added.

Sánchez is on tour in the region, and had visited the base where the press conference was held for visit the Spanish contingent of 134 soldiers which is stationed there.

“This once again shows the the importance of the NATO air patrol mission, who have worked for 60 years to keep our skies safe, ”said alliance spokesperson Oana Lungescu.

Likewise, he assured that he also shows “the skills of our pilots and the close coordination between NATO allies”.

NATO fighter jets across Europe are permanently in service and ready to go. take off quickly in case of detection of suspicious flights or unexpectedly near Allied airspace.

This service includes NATO air patrols, in which detachments of aircraft enter and leave Allied countries to help protect their skies.

In 2020, NATO air forces they have been mobilized more than 400 times intercept unknown planes, mostly from Russia, approaching Alliance airspace.

With information from the DPA and EFE agency