NATO fighter jets have shot down a drone that entered Lithuanian airspace overnight, according to Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda, raising fresh concerns about the growing number of drone incidents across Europe.
Lithuanian authorities said the unmanned aircraft probably crossed into southern Lithuania from neighbouring Belarus shortly after midnight on Tuesday. The area is close to Kaunas, the country's second-largest city. Officials have not yet established where the drone came from or who was operating it.
In a statement posted on X, President Nausėda confirmed that NATO aircraft had intercepted and destroyed the drone. He said the quick response demonstrated the importance of maintaining strong air-defence readiness as Russia's war against Ukraine continues.
The Lithuanian Ministry of Defence said the country's armed forces, together with Italian pilots taking part in NATO's air-policing mission, responded rapidly to the intrusion. The incident also prompted authorities to issue emergency warnings to residents.
People in Vilnius and nearby areas received alerts on their mobile phones shortly after midnight, advising them to move to a safe location and remain there until officials declared the situation clear. Drone warnings were also reported across parts of the capital and surrounding region.
Lithuanian officials have not said whether the drone was connected to Russia or Ukraine. Moscow has not issued a public response to the incident.
The latest event comes only days after another suspected drone crossed into Lithuania. On 13 September, officials said an object believed to have entered from Belarus travelled across Lithuanian territory before eventually reaching Russian airspace. That incident did not result in an air-raid warning.
Drone-related airspace violations have become an increasing concern in European countries since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Several NATO members bordering Russia, Belarus or Ukraine have experienced similar incidents involving unmanned aircraft.
Poland said it also conducted aviation operations on Monday night after Russian-made or Russian-operated jet-powered drones were reported to be carrying out attacks against targets in Ukraine. Polish authorities described the measures as precautionary and said they were intended to protect national airspace, particularly near areas affected by the conflict.
Lithuania has faced drone alerts before. In May, residents of Vilnius were told to take shelter following a suspected drone incident, which temporarily disrupted flights and railway services.
NATO aircraft have also been scrambled on several occasions this year after drones crossed into the airspace of Estonia and Latvia. Ukraine has previously suggested that electronic warfare used by Russia may cause some Ukrainian drones to veer off their intended routes.
Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia joined NATO in 2004. Their membership means they are covered by the alliance's collective-defence commitment under Article 5, which treats an armed attack against one member as an attack against all.
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