Russian bombers fly near Britain, NATO scrambles fighter jets
RBC3 days
Russian Bombers Fly Near UK on Christmas, NATO Responds
Should NATO respond strongly to deter violations, or is the West's military buildup the real provocation?
Above: The Tupolev Tu-95 MS strategic bomber of the Russian Air Force. Image credit: Aviation-images.com/Universal Images Group/Getty Images
The Spin
Anti-Russia narrative
Russian airspace violations demand an immediate military response. Shooting down intruding aircraft isn't escalation — it's necessary deterrence that reinforces red lines and prevents further provocations. Cold War history proves both superpowers shot down intruders without triggering broader conflict, and Putin only respects force, as Turkey's 2015 shootdown demonstrated.
Pro-Russia narrative
NATO's relentless eastward expansion and military buildup genuinely prepare for war, not defense. Poland is purchasing 1,000 tanks and 32 F-35s, Germany is rebuilding military power, and infrastructure construction near borders mirrors pre-World War II aggression. Western powers encircled Russia after promising otherwise, provoking conflict while claiming peaceful intentions. This recent "incident" neglects the fact that these were scheduled flights over international waters.
Metaculus Prediction
There is a 50% chance that Wikipedia will report Russia having procured at least 53 Su-57 fighter jets before 2031, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Go Deeper
Establishment split
CRITICAL
PRO
© 2025 Improve the News Foundation. All rights reserved.Version 6.18.0
© 2025 Improve the News Foundation.
All rights reserved.
Version 6.18.0