VILNIUS, Lithuania -- Italian Eurofighter 2000 Typhoon jets intercepted a Russian warplane that was flying close to NATO air space over the Baltic Sea last week, defence sources said Monday.

 The Russian aircraft was believed to be a reconnaissance 'spy' jet carrying out a mission over the Baltic, the sources said.

 Two Italian Eurofighters took part in the interception, preventing the Russian intruding into NATO air space.

 Italy deployed Eurofighters to Lithuania Jan. 1 as part of a rotating NATO deployment designed to bolster protection of the Baltic states following the eruption of the war between Russian-backed rebels and Ukrainian forces and a resurgence of aggressive diplomacy by Moscow reminiscent of the Cold War.