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Four RAF Typhoon jets head for Lithuania deployment | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Four RAF Typhoons will leave their base in Lincolnshire later for Lithuania to help carry out Nato's air policing role of the Baltic states. | Four RAF Typhoons will leave their base in Lincolnshire later for Lithuania to help carry out Nato's air policing role of the Baltic states. |
The Typhoons and six Polish jets will take over from a US squadron to patrol the alliance's eastern flanks. | The Typhoons and six Polish jets will take over from a US squadron to patrol the alliance's eastern flanks. |
The long-standing rotation of Nato military jets in Lithuania has recently been stepped up in response to rising tensions with Russia over Ukraine. | The long-standing rotation of Nato military jets in Lithuania has recently been stepped up in response to rising tensions with Russia over Ukraine. |
The UK government said the move would provide reassurance to Nato allies. | The UK government said the move would provide reassurance to Nato allies. |
The Typhoons will leave their base at RAF Coningsby on Monday morning and be joined by more than 100 RAF support staff in Lithuania. | The Typhoons will leave their base at RAF Coningsby on Monday morning and be joined by more than 100 RAF support staff in Lithuania. |
Heightened concern | Heightened concern |
Only last week Typhoons based at RAF Leuchars in Fife intercepted two Russian bombers flying in international airspace off Scotland. | Only last week Typhoons based at RAF Leuchars in Fife intercepted two Russian bombers flying in international airspace off Scotland. |
The jets were sent to investigate the Russian planes which are understood to have turned away shortly afterwards. | The jets were sent to investigate the Russian planes which are understood to have turned away shortly afterwards. |
The MoD said fighter planes were scrambled to similar incidents eight times last year. | The MoD said fighter planes were scrambled to similar incidents eight times last year. |
The Typhoons' role over the Baltic states, which rely on Nato for fast jet support, will be similar. | The Typhoons' role over the Baltic states, which rely on Nato for fast jet support, will be similar. |
Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said the RAF fighters would provide reassurance to Nato allies at a time of heightened concern about Russia whose jets, the Pentagon has said, have already encroached into Ukraine's airspace. | Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said the RAF fighters would provide reassurance to Nato allies at a time of heightened concern about Russia whose jets, the Pentagon has said, have already encroached into Ukraine's airspace. |
Last month, Mr Hammond told the Commons that the status of Ukraine was "quite different" from that of Nato countries. | Last month, Mr Hammond told the Commons that the status of Ukraine was "quite different" from that of Nato countries. |
He said: "Nato countries enjoy the Article 5 guarantee which protects and assures their security, but we are doing everything we can to reassure our Nato allies about the protection we offer." | He said: "Nato countries enjoy the Article 5 guarantee which protects and assures their security, but we are doing everything we can to reassure our Nato allies about the protection we offer." |
"I am able to advise the House we have taken the decision to offer to Nato UK Typhoon aircraft to augment the Polish contribution to the Nato Baltic air policing mission." | "I am able to advise the House we have taken the decision to offer to Nato UK Typhoon aircraft to augment the Polish contribution to the Nato Baltic air policing mission." |
Planned exercise | Planned exercise |
Later this week about 100 British troops will travel to Estonia to take part in a multi-national military exercise. | Later this week about 100 British troops will travel to Estonia to take part in a multi-national military exercise. |
The Ministry of Defence said this had been planned for some time. | The Ministry of Defence said this had been planned for some time. |
In Ukraine, pro-Russian separatists in the east of the country have released one of a team of eight European monitors seized in the flashpoint city of Sloviansk. | In Ukraine, pro-Russian separatists in the east of the country have released one of a team of eight European monitors seized in the flashpoint city of Sloviansk. |
The officer, a Swede, was freed on medical grounds, it has been confirmed. | The officer, a Swede, was freed on medical grounds, it has been confirmed. |
The monitors were shown to the media on Sunday - a move described as "revolting" by Germany, the native country of four of the team. | The monitors were shown to the media on Sunday - a move described as "revolting" by Germany, the native country of four of the team. |
The remaining seven are still being held and diplomacy continues to try to secure their freedom. | The remaining seven are still being held and diplomacy continues to try to secure their freedom. |
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