NATO pilots free to strike Russians near Baltic.
NATO jets in Lithuania and Estonia are now allowed to engage Russian aircraft. The mission is changing from air policing to air defense. This change was decided at a summit in Turkey.
NATO has been policing the air in Estonia and Lithuania for 22 years. Recently, NATO leaders made a decision to shift the mission’s focus. The new mission will concentrate on protecting the Baltic states from threats. This change allows the jets to intercept and potentially shoot down aircraft. The move was agreed upon at a summit in Ankara, Turkey.
Summarized from the sources above. Read the originals for the full story.
Highlights
NATO Jets Can Attack Russia
NATO jets in Lithuania can now use force against Russian aircraft.
Mission Changed to Defense
The Baltic Air Policing mission is now focused on air defense.
Chain of Command Simplified
The change makes the command structure clearer.
22 Years of Air Policing
The mission has been ongoing for 22 years.
Summit in Ankara Agreed
The shift to air defense was agreed at a NATO summit.
Perspectives
- NATO jets can now engage Russian aircraft.
- The NATO mission is changing from policing to defense.
- The change is happening in Lithuania and Estonia.
- The mission’s goal is to protect against threats.
NATO fears Russian attacks on Europe.
la Repubblica, ERR News, New
The change simplifies the chain of command.
ERR News