Shoygu orders Russian aircraft to fly over the Baltic with transponders turned on
The Head of the Russian Ministry of Defense, Sergey Shoygu, ordered that the Russian Air Force ensure air traffic security of its fighting aircraft over international waters.
“A number of relevant organizational and technical measures are being developed, including the Russian Air Force flying missions with their transponders activated,” the Russia Defense Ministry press and information office reports. Thus, flight control services in the Baltic States will be able to identify Russian military aircraft.
“If the NATO countries agree their aircraft would make flights close to the Russian border with transponders turned on, experts of the Russian defense ministry could further discuss details of this suggestion,” the Defense Minister added.
Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin supported the proposal of President of Finland Sauli Niinistö that planes will fly with transponders activated in the region of the Baltic Sea.