{
  "id": 15428099,
  "title": "Russia hijacks Ukrainian drones, sends them to Baltic states; Kyiv apologises again",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/russia-hijacks-ukrainian-drones-sends-them-to-baltic-states-kyiv",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-18T14:14:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Times of India",
    "slug": "times-of-india",
    "url": "https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/defence/international/kyiv-apologises-again-as-russia-diverts-ukrainian-drones-into-baltic-states-what-is-gps-spoofing/articleshow/135030051.cms"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Kyiv expressed regret on Sunday following potential drone incursions into Lithuanian airspace during an operation against Russian military targets. The Ukrainian foreign ministry attributed the incident to Russian electronic warfare. Lithuania warned that Russia could falsify GPS signals up to 450 km from its Kaliningrad exclave, exacerbating concerns over the Baltic states' security.\n\nRussia has augmented its GPS spoofing network in the Kaliningrad region, increasing the number of antennae from three in early 2025 to 36, according to Lithuania's deputy head of communications regulator Darius Kuliesius. This heightened capability enables Russia to deceive navigation systems across a substantial radius, impacting countries such as Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and parts of nearby nations.\n\nThe interference has extended beyond aviation, affecting mobile phone networks and even traffic systems near Kaliningrad, which rely on GPS for tracking. Finland, Estonia, and Latvia have previously encountered similar disruptions, with incidents involving NATO jets shooting down suspected Ukrainian drones. Despite Russia's denials, the Federation's actions have prompted NATO to remain vigilant against potential threats.\n\nThe issue has implications for European security, with Ukraine justifying drone strikes on Russian military targets to weaken Russia's war effort. Zelenskyy has pledged to deploy Ukrainian experts to Latvia for airspace protection. The recurring GPS disruptions have notably affected European leaders' travels, including a Spanish military jet and a European Commission delegation.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 9,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Kyiv Independent",
        "title": "Russian drones hit western Ukraine as nationwide attacks kill 10, injure 73",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/russian-drones-hit-western-ukraine-as-nationwide-attacks-kill-10",
        "published": "2026-10-18T11:10:49.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Business Insider",
        "title": "Ukraine's drone pilots want simple attack drones in large numbers. A soldier says Western designs are often overcomplicated.",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/ukraines-drone-pilots-want-simple-attack-drones-in-large-numbers-a",
        "published": "2026-10-18T11:54:01.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Euromaidan Press",
        "title": "Ukraine retook Kolodiazi north of Lyman as its drones hit 200-plus Russian vehicles in Operation Vivaldi’s last phase, Ukrainian drone officer says",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/ukraine-retook-kolodiazi-north-of-lyman-as-its-drones-hit-200-plus",
        "published": "2026-10-18T13:39:09.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Times of India",
        "title": "Fires erupt at St Petersburg oil sites as Ukraine unleashes 1,000+ drones on Russia",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/fires-erupt-at-st-petersburg-oil-sites-as-ukraine-unleashes-1-000",
        "published": "2026-10-18T13:51:43.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Seeking Alpha News",
        "title": "Ukraine strikes Russian oil terminal as tensions with Washington deepen",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/ukraine-strikes-russian-oil-terminal-as-tensions-with-washington",
        "published": "2026-10-18T13:54:18.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Voice of Ukraine",
        "title": "Ukraine's Air Force releases video of fighter pilot shooting down Russian Geran drone over Ukraine",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/ukraines-air-force-releases-video-of-fighter-pilot-shooting-down",
        "published": "2026-10-18T14:43:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Ukrinform - Politics",
        "title": "Ukraine's FM: Russian EW systems likely caused drone incident in Lithuania",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/ukraines-fm-russian-ew-systems-likely-caused-drone-incident-in",
        "published": "2026-10-18T15:59:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Conversation AU",
        "title": "Ukraine’s drone strikes on Russian data centres may change how we see disinformation",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/ukraines-drone-strikes-on-russian-data-centres-may-change-how-we-see",
        "published": "2026-10-18T19:11:45.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}