The General Staff of the Estonian Defence Forces reported that NATO…
The General Staff of the Estonian Defence Forces reported that NATO air forces based in the Baltic republic have begun exercises in Estonian airspace.
Consensus
- NATO military aircraft conducted training flights over Estonia from July 27 through August 2.
- Flights took place daily between 10:00 and 22:00.
- Low-altitude flights were conducted at a minimum height of 152 meters (500 feet).
- Supersonic flights were permitted, coordinated with civilian air traffic control.
- The purpose was to maintain NATO aviation readiness for responding to aerial incidents.
- Aircraft are based at Ämari Air Base in Estonia and Šiauliai Air Base in Lithuania.
- NATO aircraft patrol the airspace of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania under a NATO agreement.
Points of divergence
- The sonic boom from supersonic flights may sound like an artillery shot or explosion. — fontanka
- Flights may approach populated areas and individual farmsteads, though military forces will avoid residential districts when possible. — fontanka
- Similar training exercises occurred over Estonia from July 6 to 12. — fontanka
Coverage (2 sources)
- Military aircraft flying over Estonia, explosions may be heard: what is happening — Фонтанка
- NATO Air Force exercises begin in Estonia — Интерфакс