A NATO fighter jet shot down a drone that breached Lithuanian airspace in the early hours of Tuesday, according to Lithuania’s Crisis Management Centre and President Gitanas Nausėda.
Drone believed to have entered from Belarus
A centre spokesperson said the drone was believed to have entered from Belarus, noting that its origin had not yet been determined. The shoot-down was preceded by a warning about a drone over the capital Vilnius and the surrounding area. Initial reports differed over where the drone came down.
Nausėda confirms airspace protection
Nausėda said the drone was quickly shot down by NATO fighter jets, stressing that his country would defend its airspace in cooperation with its allies. Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys thanked the allies involved in protecting Lithuania’s airspace and strengthening its security. The incident came amid concerns in countries neighbouring Russia that the repercussions of the war in Ukraine could spread into allied airspace.
Ukrainian military drones had previously entered the airspace of Finland, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, while Ukraine held Russia responsible for those incidents, claiming that it had affected aircraft routes through electromagnetic warfare means. In a simultaneous development, the Polish military’s General Staff announced the start of aerial military operations over Poland after Russian drone strikes targeted neighbouring Ukraine.
NATO mission fighter jets have patrolled the airspace over Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia since the three countries joined the alliance in 2004. Mission aircraft have previously shot down stray Ukrainian drones over Estonia in May, and over Latvia in June and August.
