Nato jets shoot down drone entering Lithuanian airspace
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda confirmed on Tuesday that Nato fighter jets destroyed a drone that entered the country from Belarus.
Incursion details and location
The unmanned aircraft crossed the border shortly after midnight and was intercepted near Kaunas. Emergency services reported the object fell in a rural area close to Lake Kaunas. Authorities stated the device originated from neighbouring Belarus before being destroyed.
Regional security response
Poland also scrambled its air force as a preventive measure against similar threats. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys thanked allies for their presence protecting the skies. This incident marks another security event on the alliance eastern flank since 2022.
Statements from officials
President Nausėda described the action as vital given Russia intensifying aggression against Ukraine. The Lithuanian crisis management centre noted that drone alerts sounded across Vilnius earlier Tuesday. Moscow has not yet commented on this specific incident.
3 outlets, different leads
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France 24
Drone shot down by NATO over Lithuania
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BBC News
Nato jets down drone that entered Lithuanian airspace
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The Guardian
Nato jets shoot down drone violating Lithuania’s airspace
Reported by
3 independent outlets. Headlines as published. Links open the original report.