RAF jets are scrambled twice in 48 hours to ward off Putin’s latest show of force with Russian jets – as Ukraine cries foul over Easter ‘ceasefire’
RAF fighter jets were scrambled twice in 48 hours to ward off Russian plane’s from NATO’s airspace, it has been revealed.
British Typhoons were mobilised in two separate instances last week after Kremlin planes flew too close to the border, The Telegraph reported.
On Tuesday, two British fighter jets station at Malbork Air Base in Poland were scrambled to intercept a Russian spy plane flying over the Baltic Sea.
Less than 48 hours later, another two jets had to be sent up to scare off an unknown aircraft leaving the Russian city of Kaliningrad, which is sandwiched between Poland and Lithuania.
It is the first time that the RAF has been called into action under NATO mission Operation Chessman, aimed at strengthening Europe’s air defence.
Ministers have said that the latest exchange in the skies showed how Vladimir Putin has grown increasingly aggressive when it comes to testing the West.
NATO last month had to scramble warplanes over Poland amid a huge Russian missile and drone attack on Ukraine’s gas and energy facilities.
RAF Typhoon jets were scrambled twice this week after Russian warplanes flew too close to NATO’s airspace
It is the first time that the RAF has been called into action under NATO mission Operation Chessman in an attempt to strengthen Europe’s air defence. Pictured: Russian Ilyusin Il-20
It comes as Putin announced an Easter truce in the conflict in Ukraine
Vladimir Putin had sent up his Tu-95MS strategic bombers from an Arctic airfield to launch devastating strikes impacting civilian Ukrainians.
It comes as Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky said Saturday his forces would observe a surprise Easter truce announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin set to last until midnight on Sunday, even as air-raid sirens sounded in Kyiv.
The truce would be the most significant pause in the fighting throughout the three-year conflict.
But just hours after the order was meant to have come into effect, air-raid sirens sounded in the Ukrainian capital and Zelensky accused Russia of having maintained its artillery fire and assaults on the frontline.
Also on Saturday, Russia and Ukraine held a large exchange of prisoners, each side saying they had handed back more than 240 captured fighters.
The order to halt all combat over the Easter weekend came after months of efforts by US President Donald Trump to get Moscow and Kyiv to agree a truce.
On Friday, Washington even threatened to withdraw from talks if no progress was made.
‘Today from 1800 (1500 GMT) to midnight Sunday (2100 GMT Sunday), the Russian side announces an Easter truce,’ Putin said earlier Saturday in televised comments during a meeting with the Russian chief of the general staff Valery Gerasimov.
An elderly woman reacts in front of makeshift memorial for the fallen Ukrainian and foreign fighters, at the Independence Square in Kyiv on April 19, 2025
A couple walks by flags and portraits of fallen servicemen at a makeshift memorial for the fallen Ukrainian and foreign fighters, at the Independence Square in Kyiv on April 19, 2025
Ukrainian prisoners of war pose for a group photo after being released in exchange for Russian captives
Firefighters work to extinguish a fire following an attack in Mykolaiv, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine on April 17
A view of the aftermath of a Russian missile attack in Kharkiv, Ukraine, on April 18, 2025. According to Mayor Ihor Terekhov, Russia launched three Iskander cluster missiles at around 5 a.m., striking a densely populated area. One man was killed and more than 30 others were wounded after one of the missiles exploded in midair
Zelensky responded by saying Ukraine would follow suit, and proposed extending the truce beyond Sunday.
But the Ukrainian leader also accused Russia of having already broken its promises.
Air-raid sirens sounded in Kyiv and several other regions Saturday evening.
‘Russian assault operations continue on several frontline sectors, and Russian artillery fire has not subsided,’ Zelensky said.
Putin had said the truce for the Easter holiday celebrated on Sunday was motivated by ‘humanitarian reasons’.
While he expected Ukraine to comply, he said that Russian troops ‘must be ready to resist possible breaches of the truce and provocations by the enemy’.
Zelensky in a social media post wrote: ‘If Russia is now suddenly ready to truly engage in a format of full and unconditional silence, Ukraine will act accordingly – mirroring Russia’s actions.’
He added: ‘If a complete ceasefire truly takes hold, Ukraine proposes extending it beyond the Easter day of April 20.’
A woman hugs her son after he was freed in a Ukrainian-Russian prisoner exchange earlier on Saturday
A Russian Orthodox Church’s Priest blesses believers, eggs and Easter cakes during the celebration of the Easter at the Triniity Church, April 19, 2024, in Moscow, Russia
A Russian Orthodox Church’s Priest blesses believers, eggs and Easter cakes during the celebration of the Easter at the Triniity Church, April 19, 2024, in Moscow, Russia
He proposed that ’30 days could give peace a chance’, while pointing out that Putin had earlier rejected a proposed 30-day full and unconditional ceasefire.
The fighting is ongoing, and Russian attacks continue,’ Ukraine’s military command, the Chief of Staff, reported Saturday evening.
‘In some areas on the frontline, Russian artillery continues to be heard, despite the promise of silence from the Russian leader. Russian drones are being used. It is quieter in some areas.’
Soldiers in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk close to the front line earlier greeted the truce announcement with scepticism.
Putin ‘might do it to give some hope or to show his humanity,’ said Dmitry, a 40-year-old soldier. ‘But either way, of course, we don’t trust (Russia).
Putin said the latest truce proposal would show ‘how sincere is the Kyiv’s regime’s readiness, its desire and ability to observe agreements and participate in a process of peace talks’.
Previous attempts at holding ceasefires for Easter in April 2022 and Orthodox Christmas in January 2023 were not implemented after both sides failed to agree on them.
