US sends 6 additional fighter jets to Lithuania

The United States will send 6 additional fighter jets to Lithuania in order to reassure its Eastern European allies over increased fears from Russia’s incursion in Ukraine.

The planes, which are currently at Lakenheath air base in Britain, will be positioned in the air base in Siauliai, Lithuania, US Defense officials announced.

Upon the deployment, there will be 10 US f-15 fighter jets on Lithuanian territory. The jets are part of NATO’s Baltic Air Policing Mission, meant to deter Russian violations of air space over Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia.

The US officials have assured that the deployment of the jets is largely symbolic, in order to calm the fears of ex-Soviet NATO states which are in close proximity to the events in Ukraine.