Italy to send Eurofighters to NATO's eastern flank amid Russian drone tensions

Reuters

Italy will deploy two Eurofighter Typhoon jets to support NATO’s new mission reinforcing its eastern flank, after a series of suspected Russian drones entered Poland and Romania airspaces according to the Italian ANSA news agency on Tuesday.

The move comes as the security alliance responds to increasing airspace violations linked to Russia’s war in Ukraine.

The mission follows claims from Poland and Romania that Russian drones entered their airspace during recent missile strikes on Ukraine.

Romania’s Defence Ministry said a Russian drone crossed into its territory on Saturday — a claim Moscow dismissed as “unfounded” and called a “provocation” by Ukraine.

Poland reported that at least 19 Russian drones flew into its airspace last week. Russia has denied that any incursions were deliberate.

In response, NATO announced the formation of Eastern Sentry to bolster air defences along its eastern frontier. The alliance has not specified how many nations will take part in the mission, but Italy is among the first to publicly confirm its contribution.

The Eurofighter jets will be deployed to an undisclosed location near the eastern border, ANSA said. NATO’s eastern members — including Poland, Romania, and the Baltic states — have repeatedly urged greater protection from Russian military activity near their borders.

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