World · India Bureau
NATO fighter jets down unidentified drone near Lithuanian power plant
Military aircraft intercepted an unmanned aerial vehicle that crossed into Lithuanian airspace from Belarus, downing it near a critical hydroelectric facility in the country's central region.
LSN India ·
NATO fighter jets successfully shot down an unidentified drone that had entered Lithuanian airspace from neighboring Belarus, according to regional defence reports. The aircraft intercepted the unmanned vehicle approximately five kilometers from a hydroelectric power plant located near Pratkunai in central Lithuania.
The incident marks the latest in a series of airspace violations and security concerns along Lithuania's border with Belarus. The proximity of the incursion to the power generation facility underscored potential risks to the country's critical infrastructure.
Lithuania, a NATO member state, has maintained heightened vigilance along its eastern frontier amid regional tensions. The swift interception demonstrated the alliance's air defence capabilities in the region and its commitment to protecting member nations' territorial integrity.
Details regarding the drone's origin, operator and purpose remained unclear at the time of the incident. Lithuanian authorities and NATO have not disclosed additional information about the unmanned system or the circumstances surrounding its intrusion into the country's airspace.