Watch: Aftermath of NATO jets' downing of drone in Lithuania

VILNIUS, Lithuania — NATO fighter jets shot down a drone that entered Lithuanian airspace overnight, officials announced Tuesday. This incident occurred less than a day following NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte's statement that strikes near the alliance's territory would prompt the trans-Atlantic organization to boost its support for Kyiv.

The drone was brought down near the village of Pratkūnai in Lithuania's Kaišiadorys district, roughly 60 miles (100 kilometers) west of the capital, Vilnius. Lithuania's National Crisis Management Center reported the event, adding that it marks the first time a drone has been intercepted in Lithuanian airspace. The military stated that this marks a historic moment for the nation.

The incident follows Mark Rutte's speech at NATO headquarters in Brussels on Monday, in which he alleged that strikes close to NATO territory demonstrated Russian President Vladimir Putin's "desperation and also his desire to sow fear and terror." He emphasized that Russia is becoming more reckless as it continues its "terrible war against Ukraine." Furthermore, he pledged to strengthen NATO's defenses along its eastern border with Russia.

Lithuanian air force commander Antanas Matutis revealed that the drone's wreckage had been found, and it "likely" carried explosives. Vilmantas Vitkauskas, head of the crisis center, told Lithuanian public broadcaster LRT that the drone likely entered from Belarus and remained in Lithuanian airspace for approximately 30 minutes before being intercepted. The drone flew along the outskirts of populated areas.

Meanwhile, Russian drone strikes continued across Ukraine following a tweet from U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday, suggesting that Russia and Ukraine had agreed "not to hit" each other's energy infrastructure. Trump provided no further details on the purported agreement, and Russia did not comment on Trump's post. Efforts to broker a partial ceasefire have repeatedly failed, with both sides blaming each other for violations.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Monday that Kyiv was "ready to support de-escalation." He explained that the Russians are feeling the pressure from precise strikes on Russia's war economy, and Ukraine will take de-escalatory steps if America ensures Russia's genuine desire to end the war. Ukrainian State Emergency Service reported eight people wounded in Russian strikes on Kyiv since the beginning of the day, including two wounded in strikes on the capital's gas stations.