NATO fighter jets shoot down drone that entered Lithuania’s airspace from Belarus as Russia intensifies aggression against Ukraine: ‘Russian barbarians are at your gate,’ Ukrainian foreign minister says
NATO fighter jets shot down a drone that entered member-state Lithuania’s airspace overnight on Tuesday, September 15, at a time of heightened tensions in the region following Russia’s recent UAV attacks on Ukraine. It is not clear yet whether the drone was Russian in origin, or what its purpose was, as authorities carry out further investigation into the incident. However, two senior officials have revealed that the drone was carrying an explosive device.
NATO fighter jets scrambled from Šiauliai at midnight
According to reports, Italian NATO fighter jets scrambled from Šiauliai at 12.20 a.m. local time and shot down the drone. Military officials have said that the incident marked the first time a foreign drone has been shot down in Lithuanian airspace. The drone incursion reportedly prompted air raid sirens in parts of the country and a temporary airspace closure.
Lithuania’s President Gitanas Nauseda wrote on X of the incident, “With Russia intensifying its aggression against Ukraine, such readiness is vital for our region… Together with our NATO Allies, Lithuania will defend its airspace.”
Downed drone found carrying explosives
The downed drone fell near the village of Pratkūnai, about 60 miles west of the capital, Vilnius, and near the Kaunas Reservoir, according to reports from Lithuania’s National Crisis Management Center.
Lithuanian Defense Minister Robertas Kaunas further reported that an explosive device was detected on the drone and was neutralized by bomb-disposal experts.
Vilmantas Vitkauskas, head of the National Crisis Management Center, said in a statement to Lithuanian public broadcaster LRT that the drone most likely entered from the neighboring country of Belarus, a Russian ally, stayed in Lithuanian airspace for around 30 minutes and flew along the outskirts of populated areas before it was shot down.
Incident comes on the heels of Russian drone attack on Ukraine
The drone incursion in Lithuania came days after a Russian drone struck a train two miles off Ukraine’s border with Poland as the train traveled between Kyiv and Warsaw. According to a report from Ukrainian railways (Ukrzaliznytsia), no passengers were injured in the attack. However, the incident prompted a statement from Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha, who said that Russia is “knocking directly on the doors of the EU and NATO,” adding that “Russian barbarians are at your gate, dear partners.”
NATO on high alert
NATO member states in the region have been on high alert following the latest Russian drone attack in Ukraine. The Defense Ministry of Poland said on Tuesday that its ground-based air defense and radar reconnaissance systems were put on high alert due to the threat posed by Russian drone attacks on western Ukraine.
Romania’s Defense Ministry, meanwhile, reported that it deployed two F-16 aircraft at around 3:10 a.m. Tuesday to monitor drones detected near the border. However, none of the drones ultimately entered Romanian airspace.
Denmark’s Armed Forces reported on Monday, September 14, that a Russian frigate fired two flares toward a Danish military helicopter in the Baltic Sea off Gedser while the aircraft was carrying out surveillance of the ship.
Officials in Germany, Denmark, the U.K. and Poland have, in recent weeks, accused Russia of involvement in drone incursions, sabotage, arson and surveillance of defense facilities. NATO officials further believe Russia is planning to use an explosive-carrying drone to attack an airport.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said in a statement on Monday that Russian strikes near NATO territory show Vladimir Putin’s “desperation and also his desire to sow fear and terror.” Rutte vowed to bolster NATO’s defenses along its long eastern border with Russia and Belarus.