A NATO fighter jet shot down a drone over southern Lithuania that officials say was probably launched by Russia and carried an explosive device, as the European Commission warned that recent incidents in Lithuania and Denmark are 'not isolated'.
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Key facts
- A NATO fighter jet shot down a drone over southern Lithuania shortly after midnight on Tuesday.
- A Lithuanian minister said an explosive device was found on the downed drone.
- The drone was 'probably' launched by Russia, according to Al Jazeera.
- The European Commission president said recent actions in Denmark and Lithuania are 'not isolated incidents'.
- In a separate incident, a Russian warship fired flares at a Danish helicopter, according to the Guardian.
A NATO fighter jet shot down a drone over southern Lithuania shortly after midnight on Tuesday, according to Al Jazeera. The drone was reported to have ‘probably’ been launched by Russia, though officials stopped short of a definitive attribution.
A Lithuanian minister said an explosive device was found on the drone after it was brought down, according to the Guardian’s live coverage of the incident. The discovery added to concern about the nature and intent of the object flying over Lithuanian territory.
The incident came alongside a separate event involving Denmark, in which a Russian warship fired flares at a Danish helicopter, according to the Guardian. The two episodes were treated together by European officials.
The European Commission’s president warned that the recent actions in Denmark and Lithuania are ‘not isolated incidents’, according to the Guardian.
Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha responded to the Danish incident by declaring Kyiv’s ‘full support’ after what he described as ‘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,’ he said.
Russia has not commented on the incidents in the sources available, and the attribution of the Lithuanian drone remains preliminary.
Why it matters
The downing of an explosive-carrying drone over a NATO member's territory, coupled with a separate incident involving a Russian warship and a Danish helicopter, raises questions over European security. EU officials describing these as 'not isolated incidents' signals concern that they may prompt a more coordinated response, though the attribution of the drone remains preliminary.
Frequently asked questions
Where and when was the drone shot down?
A NATO fighter jet shot down the drone over southern Lithuania shortly after midnight on Tuesday, according to Al Jazeera.
Was the drone armed?
A Lithuanian minister said an explosive device was found on the drone after it was shot down, according to the Guardian.
Who launched the drone?
According to Al Jazeera, the drone was 'probably' launched by Russia, though a definitive attribution was not confirmed in the sources.
Timeline
- NATO downs drone over Lithuania, ‘probably’ launched by Russia
Al Jazeera: A NATO fighter jet shot down a drone in southern Lithuania shortly after midnight on Tuesday.
- Explosive device found on drone shot down in Lithuania, says minister – Europe live
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
- Drone shot down in Lithuania ‘probably from Russia’ as EU warns of ‘pattern of aggression’ – Europe live
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