NATO has shifted its Baltic Air Policing Mission from a patrol to a combat-oriented role, according to Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda. This change, decided at the NATO summit in Ankara, allows alliance fighters to engage in direct combat operations and integrate into Lithuania's defense strategies.
NATO przekształca misję Baltic Air Policing w misję obrony powietrznej, dając pilotom mandat do niszczenia obiektów stanowiących zagrożenie. Zmiana ma na celu zwiększenie elastyczności i skrócenie czasu reakcji na zagrożenia nad krajami bałtyckimi.
French fighter jets conducted 11 air policing missions in the Baltic region last week, intercepting Russian military aircraft flying without flight plans or radio contact. This increase in activity is seen as a provocation by Moscow, occurring during the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.
Three NATO countries collaborated to shoot down a Ukrainian drone that entered Estonian airspace on Tuesday. The drone was electronically hijacked by Russia, according to Ukraine. This incident highlights NATO's defense capabilities and comes amid increased drone activity in the Baltic states.
