Polish-Lithuanian team investigates drone explosion in northern Lithuania

A joint team from the Lithuanian and Polish defence ministries is investigating the cause of a drone explosion in the Pasvalys district of northern Lithuania. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda told LRT on Wednesday, during a visit to Poland, that the team had been set up for the purpose. The case matters because it concerns airspace security of two NATO members while a war is under way next door.

"There is additional information, but I would not like to get ahead of myself," Nauseda said. In his words, the circumstances can be discussed only once official findings have been received.

What happened

The drone entered Lithuania from the Polish side on Sunday, came down in the village of Juodžioniai in the Pasvalys district and exploded. Debris damaged a car. Lithuanian officials said it was a Ukrainian drone carrying explosives. Kyiv apologised, saying Russian electronic warfare measures may have diverted it.

The Lithuanian Armed Forces said their Polish counterparts had not picked up the drone on radar.

Conflicting reports

Polish news portal Polsatnews, citing sources in the Polish defence ministry, reported that the drone had been launched from Lithuanian territory, about 30 km from the Polish border, and had never entered Polish airspace. The Polish Ministry of Defence later denied that report.

Air defence plans

Lithuanian Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas has previously said that an integrated system for detecting objects in Lithuanian airspace should be partially operational by the end of 2027. After the incident, Lithuania also opened talks with NATO on the possibility of shooting down drones without visual confirmation.