Italian fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II fighters intercept Russian Su-30 jets near NATO borders

The Italian Air Force's F-35 Lightning II made its first combat sortie in accordance with NATO's enhanced air patrol directives. The reason was the appearance of Russian aircraft near the Alliance's borders.

Here's What We Know

The Italian Air Force's fifth-generation fighters are based at the Malbork airbase in Poland. They were put on alert last week after unidentified Russian planes were spotted near NATO's borders.

Two F-35 Lightning II fighter jets made their first combat sortie. NATO's air operations centre later determined that two Russian Su-30 fourth-generation fighter jets had flown over the Baltic Sea.

The Russian side did not provide a flight plan and the Su-30 pilots did not communicate. As a result, the F-35 Lightning IIs were able to intercept and escort the Russian aircraft until they left the area of responsibility.

Source: itamilradar