A Russian military aircraft overflew a German Navy frigate twice in the Baltic Sea during NATO drills, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius told the Bundestag. The incident is being treated as a deliberate provocation amid rising tensions with Russia.

Russian aircraft buzz German frigate during NATO exercise

According to Welt, Pistorius reported to the German Parliament that a Russian reconnaissance aircraft flew over a German Navy frigate in the Baltic. He said the incident was consistent with earlier airspace violations involving Russian drones and fighter jets over Poland and Estonia. Such overflights, according to Pistorius, are “considered unnecessary provocations in the military.”

A separate report by Spiegel said Russian reconnaissance aircraft overflew the frigate Hamburg twice. The incidents occurred on 19 and 20 September 2025, during NATO’s Neptune Strike exercise. Citing Bundeswehr sources, the report said the Russian reconnaissance aircraft passed at low altitude and did not respond to radio communications.

Pistorius: “Putin wants to provoke NATO”

Pistorius warned lawmakers that Russia is literally testing the boundaries of NATO states with increasing frequency and intensity.

“[Russian President Vladimir] Putin wants to provoke us, Putin wants to provoke the NATO member states,” Pistorius told the Bundestag, adding that the Kremlin is trying to identify and exploit what it sees as weaknesses within the Alliance.

He added that the NATO alliance has responded clearly and decisively, but “at the same time with the necessary composure.”