Italian fighter jets intercept Russian planes over the Baltic Sea
The Italian Air Force intercepted unidentified aircraft over international waters in the Baltic Sea, which turned out to be Russian.
Reuters, citing knowledgeable sources, confirms that the planes were Russian.
“In the last 24 hours in Marlborough, Eurofighter fighters of the 4th Air Force have twice ventured over the international waters of the Baltic Sea,” the Italian air force said in a statement.
The NATO Command requested the aircraft to intercept a plane flying over international waters of the Baltic Sea on the morning of March 28 and 29.
The alarm was then raised by NATO’s Air Operations Command and Control Center, based in Udem, Germany.
The military did not provide any details, saying that after the interception, the Italian planes returned to the Polish base in Malbork.
Two defense sources told the agency that the Russian planes were spotted by radar, but did not respond to requests for contact.
The 4th Wing’s tactical group uses four Eurofighter Typhoons.
“Thanks to these aircraft, it is possible to guarantee the interception of any suspicious trail detected by radar in a few minutes,” the Air Force said.
The Italian contingent stationed at Krolevo Airport in Malbork operates together with the Polish Air Force to protect the northeastern flank of the Atlantic Alliance.
In 2023, the Royal Air Force Rapid Reaction Force intercepted a Russian Tu-142 anti-submarine aircraft north of Scotland.
At that time, European Eurofighter Typhoon fighters were also deployed to intercept the Russian plane.
