NATO fighter jets shot down a drone that entered Lithuanian airspace from neighboring Belarus overnight on September 15, Lithuanian authorities said.
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda thanked the alliance for its rapid response, saying the incident showed the importance of maintaining strong air defenses as Russia continues its war against Ukraine.
“A drone that just entered Lithuanian airspace was destroyed by NATO fighter jets. I thank Allied personnel for their swift response,” Nauseda said in a post on X.
“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.
The drone entered from Belarus and flew over Lentvaris, near the Lithuanian capital Vilnius, before it was shot down near the central city of Kaunas, according to Vilmantas Vitkauskas, head of Lithuania’s National Crisis Management Center.
