British airmen attacked in Lithuania

Two members of the RAF were attacked and robbed outside their hotel in northern Lithuania where they are with a Nato mission to patrol Baltic airspace.

The airmen, who were not identified, are part of a 100-strong Nato contingent attached to a squadron of British warplanes that is patrolling skies above Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.

The unit is based near Siauliai in northern Lithuania.

Police said the two men were attacked last night. Both were taken to a hospital for treatment, and one was released. The second was kept overnight for observation and had head injuries.

Earlier this year, five soldiers were beaten up, prompting outrage across country and calls for better protection for foreign troops sent to defend Lithuania. All five soldiers were sent back to Belgium and Denmark.

Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia joined the Nato in March.