NATO holds large-scale air drills in Baltic region near Russia’s Kaliningrad

NATO has held large-scale air manoeuvres in the Baltic region near Russia’s Kaliningrad Region on August 18, 2026, involving US and Norwegian fighter jets, Polish ground forces, as well as airborne early warning aircraft, electronic warfare systems and helicopters, NATO spokesperson Colonel Martin O’Donnell has said.

He noted that the military alliance deployed an E-3A AWACS aircraft and other US-controlled assets during the drills, Caliber.Az reports, Russian media.

“NATO is a defensive alliance, and allies are constantly improving their defensive capabilities. Today’s allied activities on August 18, 2026, in the Baltic region, involving US and Norwegian fighter jets, Polish ground forces, NATO’s E-3A Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) and other assets controlled by the United States, are one example of this approach,” he added.

According to O’Donnell, the alliance is not disclosing further details for operational security reasons.

NATO stressed that the increased activity is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen its defensive capabilities.

Around 25 aircraft reportedly took part in the air activity on August 18.

Separate air activity was also observed over the Skagerrak Strait between Norway and Denmark.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov