RAF maritime patrol aircraft conducts surveillance flight near Belarus, Russia

A Royal Air Force Boeing Poseidon MRA1 maritime patrol aircraft has been observed operating near the borders of Belarus and Russia’s Kaliningrad region, according to a source cited by TASS within the European Union’s air traffic control services.

The aircraft, which reportedly departed from RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland, entered Polish airspace before flying along the Belarusian border and continuing toward the Baltic Sea. It then carried out surveillance operations over international waters near the Kaliningrad region.

During the mission, the Poseidon MRA1 descended to an altitude of around 450 metres and performed circular flight patterns with gradual changes in height, according to the same source. Flights of this type are described as relatively uncommon in the area.

An Estonian Border Guard Beech King Air 350ER was also reportedly operating in the vicinity, conducting similar circular manoeuvres over the same waters.

The Boeing Poseidon MRA1 is a maritime patrol aircraft designed for anti-submarine warfare, reconnaissance, and search-and-rescue operations. The activity comes amid heightened aerial surveillance in the Baltic region, where earlier reports also indicated the presence of a US Bombardier Challenger 650 Artemis II reconnaissance aircraft operating from Constanța.

By Sabina Mammadli