NATO fighter jets shoot down drone over Lithuania
NATO fighter jets shot down a drone that had entered Lithuanian airspace from the direction of Belarus. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda thanked the alliance for its swift response.
A drone that entered Lithuanian airspace was shot down by NATO fighter jets, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda announced on the platform "X". He thanked alliance personnel for their rapid reaction, stressing that such readiness is vital for regional security as Russia continues to escalate its aggression against Ukraine.
Lithuanian public broadcaster LRT, citing information from the National Crisis Management Centre, reported that the drone had entered from Belarus and flew westward before crashing in a rural area near a lake close to Kaunas, in the country's central region.
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys also thanked allies whose presence, he said, helps protect Lithuanian skies and strengthens the country's security. He described the incident as a clear demonstration of allied unity and resolve, sending a signal that NATO remains vigilant, determined and ready to act.
Heightened risk in the region
Lithuania borders both Russia's Kaliningrad exclave and Russia's ally Belarus, leaving it feeling particularly exposed since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Other Baltic states have also reported drones entering their territory in recent times — in May, a NATO fighter jet shot down a Ukrainian-owned drone over Estonia, marking the first interception of a foreign drone in Baltic airspace by NATO air policing forces.
Lithuanian military intelligence has said Russia could be considering attacks on critical infrastructure in the Baltic states. Meanwhile, Germany's armed forces, the Bundeswehr, are building a permanent combat-ready brigade in Lithuania of around 4,800 troops, which is expected to become fully operational by 2027.
