VILNIUS: NATO fighter jets have shot down an unmanned drone after it entered Lithuanian airspace from neighbouring Belarus, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda and security officials said.
The incident marks the first reported occasion on which a drone has been brought down by NATO aircraft on Lithuanian territory, according to Lithuanian authorities.
“A drone that just entered Lithuanian airspace was destroyed by NATO fighter jets,” Nauseda said in a statement.
“I thank Allied personnel for their swift response. With Russia intensifying its aggression against Ukraine, such readiness is vital for our region. Together with our NATO Allies, Lithuania will defend its airspace,” he added.
Lithuania’s National Crisis Management Centre confirmed that the drone had crossed into the country from Belarus, a close Russian ally.
Drone Intercepted
Allied aircraft detected and intercepted the unmanned craft before destroying it approximately 30 minutes later over Kaunas County, west of the capital Vilnius.
Lithuanian authorities said the incident demonstrated the importance of maintaining a rapid response capability along NATO’s eastern flank, where concerns over airspace violations have increased since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The circumstances surrounding the drone, including its origin and purpose, were not immediately clear.
Rising Border Tensions
The incident comes amid a series of airspace and security incidents involving NATO’s eastern members during the war in Ukraine.
In 2025, NATO forces intercepted four Russian drones over Polish territory after incursions into Polish airspace. Poland subsequently sought consultations under Article 4 of the NATO treaty, which allows members to discuss security concerns when the territorial integrity or security of an ally is threatened.
The latest incident in Lithuania is likely to add to concerns among NATO members about the risk of drones crossing into allied airspace as the conflict continues.
