A minister said an explosive device was found on a drone shot down over Lithuania by Nato jets, as the European Commission president warned that recent incidents in Lithuania and Denmark are 'not isolated incidents.'
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Key facts
- A drone shot down over Lithuania was found to carry an explosive device, according to a minister.
- Nato jets downed the drone over Lithuania.
- A Russian warship fired flares at a Danish helicopter in a separate incident.
- The European Commission president said the events in Denmark and Lithuania are 'not isolated incidents.'
- Ukraine's foreign minister Andrii Sybiha voiced 'full support' for Denmark.
An explosive device was discovered on a drone that was shot down over Lithuania by Nato jets, a minister said, according to reporting by the Guardian. The finding has heightened concern across Europe about a series of security incidents affecting Nato and EU member states.
The Lithuania episode coincided with a separate incident in Denmark, where a Russian warship fired flares at a Danish helicopter. The two events have been linked in public statements by European officials warning of a broader pattern of activity.
The European Commission’s president warned that the recent actions in Denmark and Lithuania are ‘not isolated incidents,’ framing them as part of a wider challenge to European security rather than one-off occurrences.
Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha responded to the incident in Denmark by declaring Kyiv’s ‘full support’ following what he called ‘unacceptable actions targeting a Danish helicopter.’
‘Moscow continues its attempts to destabilise Europe, not just Denmark. Joint and decisive action is required and Ukraine is ready to contribute to all efforts aimed at strengthening the protection of Europe from Russian threats,’ Sybiha said, according to the Guardian.
The developments add to a run of security-related events involving Nato airspace and waters, with European leaders calling for coordinated responses.
Why it matters
Incidents involving drones and military aircraft over Nato territory raise the risk of escalation and test the alliance's response. European leaders describing the events as part of a pattern signals growing concern about pressure on the continent's security.
Frequently asked questions
What was found on the drone shot down over Lithuania?
According to the Guardian, a minister said an explosive device was found on the drone that was shot down over Lithuania by Nato jets.
What happened in Denmark?
A Russian warship fired flares at a Danish helicopter, an incident that prompted statements of support from Ukraine and concern from EU officials.
How did European leaders respond?
The European Commission's president warned that the actions in Denmark and Lithuania are 'not isolated incidents,' and Ukraine's foreign minister pledged 'full support' and called for joint, decisive action.
Timeline
- Explosive device found on drone shot down in Lithuania, says minister – as it happened
The Guardian World: The European Commission’s president warned that recent actions in Denmark and Lithuania are ‘not isolated incidents’ Russian warship fires flares at Danish helicopter as Nato jets shoot down drone over Lithuania Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha responded to the incident i