NATO fighter jets have shot down a drone that entered Lithuanian airspace, prompting security alerts across the capital, Vilnius, and surrounding areas.
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda said the drone entered the country overnight, with authorities believing it may have crossed into southern Lithuania from neighbouring Belarus shortly after midnight on Tuesday.
“A drone that just entered Lithuanian airspace was destroyed by NATO fighter jets,” Nausėda wrote in a statement on X.
The Lithuanian National Crisis Management Centre said the origin of the drone had yet to be established.
Residents in Vilnius and nearby areas received alerts on their phones warning of a possible drone incursion and urging them to “find a safe place” and “wait for the all clear”.
The Ministry of Defence said Lithuanian armed forces and Italian pilots serving in the NATO Air Defence Mission responded swiftly to the incident.
Nausėda also stressed the importance of maintaining strong air defence capabilities amid Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.
“With Russia intensifying its aggression against Ukraine, such readiness is vital for our region. Together with our NATO Allies, Lithuania will defend its airspace,” he said.
The incident comes amid growing concerns over drone incursions across Europe since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Lithuania previously reported a drone sighting on Sunday, which authorities also believed had entered from Belarus before travelling across the country and eventually entering Russian airspace.
Poland also reported aviation operations in its airspace on Monday night in response to Russian drone activity linked to attacks on Ukraine.
NATO fighter jets have similarly been scrambled on several occasions this year after drones crossed into the airspace of Baltic states, including Estonia and Latvia.
