NATO jets shoot down drone over Lithuania

A drone entered Lithuania's airspace before being shot down by NATO fighter jets early Tuesday, according to President Gitanas Nauseda. The alliance was praised for its swift response to the incident. Nauseda emphasized that NATO's readiness is crucial in the face of escalating aggression from Russia against Ukraine. Lithuania, a NATO member, vowed to defend its airspace in collaboration with its allies, as reported by Lithuanian national radio LRT.

Preliminary data suggested the drone originated from neighboring Belarus, a Russian ally. The drone was flying west when it was intercepted. It crashed in a rural area near Lake Kaunas in central Lithuania. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys highlighted the NATO response as a clear message that the alliance remains vigilant, committed, and prepared to act.

Lithuania borders Russia's Kaliningrad exclave and Belarus. Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, such drone incursions have become frequent in Lithuania, along with neighboring NATO members Latvia and Estonia.