NATO fighter jets shot down a drone over Lithuania early Tuesday after an alert in the Vilnius region, with authorities saying it likely entered from Belarus. The incident is the latest in a string of security events on the alliance's eastern flank linked to Russia's war against Ukraine.
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Key facts
- NATO jets shot down a drone near Pratkunai village outside Kaunas in central-southern Lithuania.
- Authorities say the drone likely entered from Belarus, an ally of Russia, and was heading west.
- An alert was issued in the capital, Vilnius, and surrounding region before the drone was downed.
- Poland scrambled fighter jets over Russian drone activity, and a Russian warship fired flares at a Danish helicopter in the Baltic Sea.
- Lithuania briefed EU allies after the incident, with discussions ongoing on strengthening NATO's eastern flank.
NATO fighter jets shot down a drone over Lithuania early on Tuesday after an alert was issued in the capital, Vilnius, and the surrounding region, according to the Guardian. Emergency authorities said the drone was downed near the central-southern village of Pratkunai, outside the city of Kaunas.
The origin of the drone is currently unknown, but authorities say it likely entered Lithuania from neighbouring Belarus, an ally of Russia, according to the BBC. Information from Lithuania’s crisis management centre, reported by national radio LRT, indicated the drone came from Belarus and was heading west.
The incident came less than a day after NATO leaders pledged that strikes close to the alliance’s territory would drive the trans-Atlantic organization to increase support for Kyiv, NPR reported.
The downing of the drone was one of several security incidents on NATO’s eastern flank linked to Russia’s war against Ukraine. According to the Guardian, a Russian warship fired two emergency flares at a Danish helicopter in the Baltic Sea. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen condemned what she called a ‘reckless action from Russia towards Denmark’s military’.
Poland also scrambled fighter jets ‘due to the activity of Russian jet-powered unmanned aerial vehicles conducting strikes on Ukrainian territory’, the Guardian reported, a day after retrieving a suspected Russian drone adrift in its waters.
Lithuania briefed EU allies following the overnight incident. A minister said discussions are ongoing on how to strengthen the alliance’s eastern flank as security incidents intensify across Europe, including in Denmark and Poland, according to the Guardian.
Why it matters
The downing of a drone over NATO territory, alongside incidents involving Denmark and Poland, points to rising tensions on the alliance's eastern flank tied to Russia's war against Ukraine. Such events test NATO's air defences and could push the alliance to increase its support for Kyiv and reinforce its borders.
Frequently asked questions
Where was the drone shot down?
The drone was shot down by NATO fighter jets near the central-southern village of Pratkunai, outside the city of Kaunas, in Lithuania, after an alert was issued in the Vilnius region.
Where did the drone come from?
The origin is officially unknown, but authorities say it likely entered Lithuania from neighbouring Belarus, an ally of Russia, and was heading west, according to Lithuania's crisis management centre.
What other incidents happened at the same time?
A Russian warship fired two emergency flares at a Danish helicopter in the Baltic Sea, and Poland scrambled fighter jets over Russian drone activity, a day after retrieving a suspected Russian drone from its waters.
Timeline
- Russian warship fires flares at Danish helicopter as Nato jets shoot down drone over Lithuania
The Guardian World: Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen condemns ‘reckless action from Russia towards Denmark’s military’ A Russian warship has fired two emergency flares at a Danish helicopter in the Baltic Sea, and Nato fighter jets have shot down a drone over Lithuania, in the latest security
- NATO jets down drone in Lithuanian airspace
NPR News: The incident came less than a day after NATO leaders pledged that strikes close to the alliance's territory would drive the trans-Atlantic organization to increase support for Kyiv.
- NATO jets shoot down a drone in Lithuanian airspace
NPR News: The incident came less than a day after NATO leaders pledged that strikes close to the alliance's territory would drive the trans-Atlantic organization to increase support for Kyiv.
- Lithuania briefs EU allies after drone shot down by Nato jets overnight – Europe live
The Guardian World: Minister says discussions are ongoing on how to strengthen the alliance’s eastern flank after security incidents intensify across Europe, including in Denmark and Poland I am also keeping an eye on the latest from Sweden, and it looks like we may have to wait a bit longer for the
- Nato jets shoot down drone violating Lithuania’s airspace
The Guardian World: The drone, which reportedly entered from Belarus, was shot down near Pratkunai village in central-southern Lithuania Nato fighter jets shot down a drone over Lithuania after an alert was issued in the capital, Vilnius, and surrounding region, while Poland scrambled fighter jets
- Nato jets down drone that entered Lithuanian airspace
BBC World: The origin of the drone is currently unknown, but authorities say it likely entered Lithuania from neighbouring Belarus, an ally of Russia.