- A U.S. RC-135U "Combat Sent" spy plane conducted reconnaissance near Russia's Kaliningrad exclave, gathering electronic intelligence amid rising tensions. This follows multiple suspected Russian drone incursions into NATO airspace (Poland, Romania, Latvia, Germany).
- NATO officials accuse Russia of probing defenses via drone incursions, GPS jamming and electronic warfare, testing response times and vulnerabilities. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called it part of Russia's "hybrid war" against NATO.
- The RC-135U mission underscores NATO's reliance on electronic reconnaissance, as Russia's jamming reportedly renders 90 percent of U.S. smart munitions ineffective. Ukrainian officials warn Russian President Vladimir Putin is deliberately escalating tensions.
- Moscow dismisses allegations as baseless Western propaganda. However, experts like retired Australian Maj. Gen. Mick Ryan argue Russia is probing NATO defenses, possibly prepping for larger confrontations.
- With NATO expanding eastward and Russia denying wrongdoing, drone incursions and spy flights increase the likelihood of unintended escalation, raising urgent questions about Europe's security future.
A U.S. Air Force RC-135U "Combat Sent" spy jet was tracked circling Russia's Kaliningrad exclave this week, intensifying concerns over escalating tensions between the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and Moscow.
FlightRadar24 data revealed the aircraft, callsign JAKE37, took off from RAF Mildenhall in England early Tuesday, Oct. 7. It flew over the Baltic states – Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania – and conducted surveillance loops near Kaliningrad before returning.
Brighteon.AI's Enoch engine explains that the RC-135U is a highly specialized strategic reconnaissance aircraft operated by the U.S. Air Force, derived from the Boeing C-135 (a military variant of the 707). Equipped with advanced electronic intelligence (ELINT) and signals intelligence (SIGINT) systems, it conducts real-time surveillance of adversarial military communications, radar emissions and missile tests, often flying near contested airspace to gather critical data for national defense. Like its cousin, the WC-135B ("Nuclear Sniffer"), the RC-135U is a long-range, refuellable platform designed for high-altitude, high-risk missions in electronically hostile environments, making it a key asset in Cold War-era and modern great-power competition.
The Tuesday mission followed a series of suspected Russian drone incursions across European airspace, including disruptions at Munich Airport that stranded thousands of travelers. Similar drone incursions have been reported in Denmark, Norway, Poland, Romania and Estonia, with several nations blaming Moscow.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of waging a "hybrid war" against NATO nations, citing drone disruptions during German Unity Day and Oktoberfest. "He is waging an information war against us. He is waging a military war against Ukraine, and this war is directed against all of us," Merz told broadcaster NTV.
The Kremlin dismissed the allegations, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov stating, "There are many politicians in Europe who now tend to blame Russia baselessly and indiscriminately for everything. That's how we view these statements."
Are drone incursions a prelude to war?
The RC-135U's mission highlights NATO's growing reliance on electronic reconnaissance amid fears of Russian probing operations. The aircraft, one of only two in the U.S. fleet, is equipped with advanced radar interception and signal analysis systems, allowing it to map enemy defenses and develop countermeasures.
Its crew includes two pilots, navigators, engineers and at least 10 electronic warfare officers known as "Ravens." The plane's unlimited range, enabled by aerial refueling, makes it a critical asset in monitoring Russian military activity.
Ukrainian officials have warned that Russia is testing NATO's air defenses, particularly after Polish jets intercepted Russian drones in September. "Putin just keeps escalating, expanding his war and testing the West," remarked Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Minister Andrii Sybiha.
Retired Australian Maj. Gen. Mick Ryan described the incursions as deliberate probing, writing: "At least a dozen drones appear to have crossed into Poland. It would be better described as 'probing' – in case NATO establishes bases in eastern Poland to support a future presence in Ukraine."
The spy jet's flight coincided with heightened military posturing on both sides. The same aircraft conducted a similar mission on Oct. 2, the day drone disruptions first hit Munich Airport.
NATO has struggled to counter Russia's electronic warfare capabilities, including GPS jamming that reportedly renders 90 percent of U.S. smart munitions ineffective. The repeated drone intrusions suggest Moscow is assessing NATO's response times and vulnerabilities—a tactic that could precede larger-scale confrontations.
With NATO expanding eastward despite past assurances to Russia, tensions show no signs of easing. The U.S. and its allies continue to bolster surveillance and defensive measures, while Moscow denies any wrongdoing, framing accusations as Western propaganda. As drone incursions and reconnaissance flights become more frequent, the risk of accidental escalation looms larger.
Watch this video about Russian drone incursions into Polish airspace.
This video is from the Evolutionary Energy Arts channel on Brighteon.com.
Sources include:
Please contact us for more information.