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NATO fighter jets intercept unidentified drone over Lithuanian territory
A NATO-operated fighter aircraft shot down an unmanned aerial vehicle that breached Lithuanian airspace, marking another incident in the region's escalating security tensions. Authorities believe the drone originated from Belarus, which maintains close ties with Russia.
LSN World News ·
A NATO jet intercepted and destroyed an unidentified drone that violated Lithuanian airspace on Tuesday, according to regional defence officials. The incident represents the latest in a series of airspace incursions affecting NATO member states near the Russia-Belarus border.
Lithuanian authorities have not yet determined the drone's specific origin, though preliminary assessments suggest it crossed into the country's airspace from neighbouring Belarus. The assessment aligns with previous incidents in which unmanned systems have traversed the region's poorly monitored borders.
The interdiction comes amid heightened military vigilance across Eastern Europe, with NATO member states intensifying air patrols along the periphery of Russian and Belarusian territory. Lithuania, which shares a lengthy border with Belarus, has reported multiple airspace violations in recent months.
Belarusian authorities have not issued a statement regarding the incident. The country maintains a strategic partnership with Russia and has served as a staging ground for Russian military operations since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.