OTTAWA – The Harper government has announced a strategic military shift in its ongoing response to the Ukraine crisis.
Six CF-18 fighter jets which had been based in Romania on a training mission since May will be moved to Russia’s doorstep in Lithuania in September.
The jets were sent to Europe as part of NATO measure to thwart what Prime Minister Stephen Harper has called Russia’s “persistent military aggression” in Ukraine.
READ MORE: Russia closes 3 major border crossings with Ukraine due to clashes
A statement from National Defence says the CF-18s will be deployed in Lithuania until December as part of a NATO Baltic Air Policing program.
While participating in the program, National Defence says the CF-18s will work with NATO allies and respond to “any violations of Baltic air space.”
Harper has announced a series of measures to punish Russia for what he has called an illegal occupation of the Crimean peninsula in Ukraine.
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