NATO Fighters Shoot Down Drone That Violated Lithuanian Airspace

NATO fighter aircraft intercepted and destroyed a drone that entered Lithuanian airspace during the night of September 14–15, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda announced on the social media platform X.

Presidential Statement

Nauseda wrote: "The drone that just entered Lithuanian airspace was destroyed by NATO fighters. I thank Alliance personnel for their swift response." The drone was shot down over the Kaunas region.

Crisis Management Confirmation

Vilmantas Vitkauskas, head of Lithuania's Crisis Management Center, also confirmed the incident, noting that the drone had been tracked from the moment it crossed into Lithuanian territory until it was destroyed in the air.

Lithuanian authorities have not disclosed the origin of the drone, but investigations are ongoing. Lithuania, a NATO member since 2004, borders Russia's Kaliningrad exclave and Belarus, a close Russian ally.