U.S. spy plane tracked circling over Russian airspace near Kaliningrad — report

US Spy Plane Tracks Over Russian Airspace Near Kaliningrad

A U.S. Air Force RC-135U reconnaissance jet, known as a Combat Sent, was recently tracked flying a circular path near Russian airspace, specifically looping around the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad. The aircraft departed from RAF Mildenhall in England early on a Tuesday, flew over the Baltic states, orbited the Kaliningrad region, and then returned to the United Kingdom. This wasn’t the first time this particular aircraft was recorded near the region; flight data showed the same plane on a similar mission on October 2nd.

Mission Context and German Accusations

The timing of this surveillance flight is significant, occurring a day after a major political development. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz had accused Russia of engaging in “hybrid warfare” against Germany, specifically blaming Russian President Vladimir Putin for reconnaissance drones that caused disruptions at Munich’s airport. While the U.S. has not officially disclosed the reason for the RC-135U’s recent flight, the mission highlights ongoing tensions and increased military intelligence gathering near the Russian border.

The Role of the RC-135U Combat Sent

The RC-135U is a highly specialized strategic intelligence platform used by the U.S. to locate and identify foreign radar and communication signals from land, sea, and air forces. Its primary function is to collect and analyze these electronic emissions to map out the capabilities of adversaries and inform strategic assessments for senior military and government officials. The aircraft is equipped with extensive antennae and fairings, can be refueled in the air for virtually unlimited range, and is operated by a large crew of pilots, systems engineers, and electronic warfare specialists.