NATO Forces Intercepted A Rare Russian Amphibious Aircraft Over The Baltic Sea

• 18.01.2026, 10:41

It's a unique case.

Italian fighter jets intercepted a Russian airplane over the Baltic Sea. Such incidents in this region happen regularly. However, this case has attracted special attention because it involves a rare exhibit of the aggressor's fleet.

The incident occurred in the afternoon of January 16. Italian Eurofighter Typhoon fighters lifted off from the Emari airbase in Estonia to escort a Russian Be-200PS amphibious aircraft, "Militar" reports.

The Be-200PS is an amphibious jet aircraft, capable of taking off and landing on both land and water.

It is used for fighting large fires, search and rescue operations, maritime patrols and cargo transportation.

The aircraft has two D-436T turbojet engines, can accelerate up to 720 kilometers per hour and fly up to 3,850 kilometers.

In the passenger version, it seats up to 72 people, and during firefighting can take up to 12 tons of water.

Development of the aircraft began in the late 1990s, it made its first flight in 1998, and serial production began in 2003.

According to open sources, the Russian Navy operates an extremely limited number of Be-200. According to various estimates, there are between one and three aircraft of this type in service.

The intercepted aircraft with the flight number RF-88456 was manufactured in 2020.