In early March 2026, Norway, as a NATO member, detected Russian reconnaissance flights operating near a NATO exercise area off its northern coast. This prompted the Norwegian Armed Forces to scramble F-35 fighter jets on two consecutive days. The first incident involved a Russian Ilyushin Il-20M surveillance aircraft from the Severomorsk-1 airbase, which was monitored in international airspace off Norway's Finnmark region. The aircraft was seen departing towards the Kola Peninsula after boarding the area. On the second day, another Ilyushin Il-20M aircraft flew through the NATO exercise region west and south-west from Norway's North Cape. Norwegian military officials confirmed the plane was operating with its transponder switched off, a maneuver that raised concerns. The aircraft was spotted over the Barents Sea around 9:30 a.m., later traveling south towards Lofoten before ultimately returning to the Kola Peninsula by early afternoon. Norwegian authorities indicated that the increased presence of Russian surveillance aircraft was anticipated during this specific period. The purpose of the flights was likely to gather intelligence and monitor the activities of NATO forces involved in the ongoing Cold Response 2026 military training exercise. The Norwegian military regards these operations as routine within the context of maintaining situational awareness and countering potential threats from non-allied forces in the region. Norway conducts these operations under NATO's Quick Reaction Alert mission, which provides standing readiness for its fighter aircraft. This mission is designed to respond swiftly to unknown or non-cooperative aircraft approaching Norwegian airspace. Norwegian forces routinely undertake this task to ensure the integrity and sovereignty of Norway's airspace amidst heightened military activities in the region, particularly given the current geopolitical tensions between NATO and Russia.