NATO jet shoots down suspected Russian drone over Lithuania in first such incident

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NATO jet shoots down suspected Russian drone over Lithuania in first such incident
NATO jets shoot down Russian drone over Lithuania, president confirms
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NATO fighter jets shot down a suspected Russian drone in Lithuanian airspace on Tuesday, marking the first such incident over the Baltic nation, according to Lithuanian officials.
The drone entered from Belarus and was intercepted near Pratkunai, a settlement north of Kaunas, Lithuania’s second-largest city, the country’s national crisis management center said. Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas stated on social media that the drone carried an explosive, and debris was being analyzed to confirm its origin. He praised the intervention by an Italian fighter jet, calling it proof of NATO’s value and alliance solidarity.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the incident as part of a broader pattern of Russian “aggression and provocation” against Europe. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul blamed Russia, asserting that NATO members would not be intimidated. Russian officials did not immediately respond to the incident.
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda said the shootdown demonstrated the country’s capability to act decisively when necessary. The event follows recent tensions in the region, including Russia firing flares at a Danish military helicopter monitoring a Russian warship in the Baltic Sea on Monday.
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