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Nato jets shoot down drone that flew into Lithuanian airspace

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NATO jets shoot down drone over Lithuania

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Will Russia attack a European NATO member before 2035?

Two Italian Eurofighter Typhoons flying a NATO air defense mission from Siauliai scrambled overnight on Tuesday, shooting down a drone over Lithuanian airspace, in an operation coordinated through NATO's Combined Air Operations Centre in Uedem, Germany.

NATO Air Command

Two Italian Eurofighter Typhoons flying a NATO air defense mission from Siauliai scrambled overnight on Tuesday, shooting down a drone over Lithuanian airspace, in an operation coordinated through NATO's Combined Air Operations Centre in Uedem, Germany.

Lithuanian officials said the drone likely crossed the border from Belarus shortly after midnight and remained in the country's airspace for around 30 minutes before being intercepted near the village of Pratkūnai, about 60 miles from the capital Vilnius.

Lithuanian officials said the drone likely crossed the border from Belarus shortly after midnight and remained in the country's airspace for around 30 minutes before being intercepted near the village of Pratkūnai, about 60 miles from the capital Vilnius.

According to Lithuanian Air Force Commander Antanas Matutis, the drone — believed to be the first NATO has shot down over Lithuanian territory — was probably carrying explosives, based on the wreckage discovered, though investigations are continuing.

According to Lithuanian Air Force Commander Antanas Matutis, the drone — believed to be the first NATO has shot down over Lithuanian territory — was probably carrying explosives, based on the wreckage discovered, though investigations are continuing.

In a social media post, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda thanked the NATO personnel involved for the "swift response," adding that such readiness was "vital" for regional security given "Russia intensifying its aggression against Ukraine."

Gitanas Nausėda

In a social media post, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda thanked the NATO personnel involved for the "swift response," adding that such readiness was "vital" for regional security given "Russia intensifying its aggression against Ukraine."

The aerial incursion took place a day after NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte warned that Russia was "growing increasingly reckless" in its war against Ukraine and in "the hybrid sphere," as part of "Putin's desperation and … his desire to sow fear and terror."

The aerial incursion took place a day after NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte warned that Russia was "growing increasingly reckless" in its war against Ukraine and in "the hybrid sphere," as part of "Putin's desperation and … his desire to sow fear and terror."

It coincided with the Danish Foreign Ministry's report on Tuesday that a Russian frigate fired flares at a Danish helicopter off the town of Gedser. The ministry confirmed it had summoned Moscow's ambassador to answer for the incident.

MEA Denmark

It coincided with the Danish Foreign Ministry's report on Tuesday that a Russian frigate fired flares at a Danish helicopter off the town of Gedser. The ministry confirmed it had summoned Moscow's ambassador to answer for the incident.

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Two Italian Eurofighter Typhoons flying a NATO air defense mission from Siauliai scrambled overnight and shot down a drone over Lithuanian airspace, in an operation coordinated through NATO's Combined Air Operations Centre in Uedem, Germany.

Two Italian Eurofighter Typhoons flying a NATO air defense mission from Siauliai scrambled overnight and shot down a drone over Lithuanian airspace, in an operation coordinated through NATO's Combined Air Operations Centre in Uedem, Germany.

Lithuanian officials said Tuesday the drone likely crossed in from Belarus shortly after midnight and stayed in the country's airspace about 30 minutes before it was intercepted near the village of Pratknai, about 60 miles from Vilnius.

Lithuanian officials said Tuesday the drone likely crossed in from Belarus shortly after midnight and stayed in the country's airspace about 30 minutes before it was intercepted near the village of Pratknai, about 60 miles from Vilnius.

President Gitanas Nauseda said on X that the drone "was destroyed by NATO fighter jets," while Lithuania's Defense Ministry credited the armed forces and Italian pilots with a "swift and responsible response." Moscow has not commented.

President Gitanas Nauseda said on X that the drone "was destroyed by NATO fighter jets," while Lithuania's Defense Ministry credited the armed forces and Italian pilots with a "swift and responsible response." Moscow has not commented.

Lithuanian air force commander Antanas Matutis said the recovered wreckage indicated the drone was "likely" carrying explosives. Officials said it was the first time a drone has been shot down over Lithuanian territory, with investigations continuing.

Lithuanian air force commander Antanas Matutis said the recovered wreckage indicated the drone was "likely" carrying explosives. Officials said it was the first time a drone has been shot down over Lithuanian territory, with investigations continuing.

Poland said Monday night it had conducted "aviation operations" in its airspace due to Russian jet-powered drones striking Ukrainian territory, describing the measures as preventive and aimed at securing regions adjacent to the conflict.

Poland said Monday night it had conducted "aviation operations" in its airspace due to Russian jet-powered drones striking Ukrainian territory, describing the measures as preventive and aimed at securing regions adjacent to the conflict.

Denmark's Foreign Ministry said Tuesday a Russian frigate fired flares at an air force helicopter off Gedser and summoned Moscow's ambassador. NATO chief Mark Rutte said Monday that Russia "is growing increasingly reckless" in its war on Ukraine.

Denmark's Foreign Ministry said Tuesday a Russian frigate fired flares at an air force helicopter off Gedser and summoned Moscow's ambassador. NATO chief Mark Rutte said Monday that Russia "is growing increasingly reckless" in its war on Ukraine.

NATO's air shield just proved it works — Italian Eurofighters scrambled from Siauliai and dropped a drone over Lithuanian airspace within minutes. That kind of readiness is exactly what the eastern flank needs while Russia keeps escalating its war on Ukraine. Layered air defense protecting a billion allied citizens is worth every euro spent on it.

NATO's air shield just proved it works — Italian Eurofighters scrambled from Siauliai and dropped a drone over Lithuanian airspace within minutes. That kind of readiness is exactly what the eastern flank needs while Russia keeps escalating its war on Ukraine. Layered air defense protecting a billion allied citizens is worth every euro spent on it.

Lithuanian_MoD

The drone panic sweeping Europe is manufactured hysteria, not defense policy. Not one Russian shell has ever landed in a NATO or EU country, yet every stray aircraft gets spun into proof of an invasion that was never coming. The real aim is to stoke Russophobia and justify pouring billions into Ukraine and European arms makers while elites dodge blame for their own failures.

The drone panic sweeping Europe is manufactured hysteria, not defense policy. Not one Russian shell has ever landed in a NATO or EU country, yet every stray aircraft gets spun into proof of an invasion that was never coming. The real aim is to stoke Russophobia and justify pouring billions into Ukraine and European arms makers while elites dodge blame for their own failures.

Drones in the Russia-Ukraine War

The Russia-Ukraine War

Lithuania

Military aircraft

Autonomous weapons

NATO's air shield just proved it works, after Italian Eurofighters based in Siauliai neutralized a drone that penetrated Lithuanian airspace within minutes. That kind of readiness is exactly what NATO's eastern flank needs while Russia keeps escalating its war on Ukraine: a layered air defense that protects a billion allied citizens from external threats.

NATO's air shield just proved it works, after Italian Eurofighters based in Siauliai neutralized a drone that penetrated Lithuanian airspace within minutes. That kind of readiness is exactly what NATO's eastern flank needs while Russia keeps escalating its war on Ukraine: a layered air defense that protects a billion allied citizens from external threats.

This incident is the latest in a drone panic sweeping Europe. Despite not a single piece of Russian ordnance landing in a NATO or EU country, every stray aircraft gets spun into proof of an invasion that is never coming. The aim is to stoke Russophobia and justify pouring billions into Ukraine and European arms makers while the elites dodge blame for their own failures.

This incident is the latest in a drone panic sweeping Europe. Despite not a single piece of Russian ordnance landing in a NATO or EU country, every stray aircraft gets spun into proof of an invasion that is never coming. The aim is to stoke Russophobia and justify pouring billions into Ukraine and European arms makers while the elites dodge blame for their own failures.

There is a 40% chance that Russia will attack a European NATO member before 2035, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

There is a 40% chance that Russia will attack a European NATO member before 2035, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

NATO Jets Shoot Down Drone Over Lithuania

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