NATO jets shoot down drone over Lithuania as Denmark alleges flare incident
Lithuania says a drone entered its airspace from the direction of Belarus and carried a neutralised explosive device, while Denmark accuses a Russian frigate of targeting a surveillance helicopter with flares.
NATO fighter jets shot down a drone after it entered Lithuanian airspace, in what Lithuanian officials said was the first such interception over the NATO member’s territory. The drone was brought down near Pratkūnai, about 100 kilometres west of Vilnius, after remaining in the country’s airspace for roughly 30 minutes.
Lithuania’s National Crisis Management Center said the drone most likely entered from Belarus, though its origin, purpose and precise flight path have not been established. Officials said it travelled along the outskirts of populated areas before it was intercepted.
Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas said an explosive device was detected on the drone and neutralised by bomb-disposal experts. The incident comes after previous airspace alarms in Lithuania, including incursions involving stray Ukrainian drones.
Separately, Denmark accused a Russian frigate of firing flares at one of its air force helicopters during what it described as routine photographic surveillance in the Baltic Sea, near the port of Gedser. Denmark’s foreign ministry called the incident unacceptable and said Russia’s ambassador had been summoned.
Russia’s ambassador to Denmark, Vladimir Barbin, said Danish military helicopters had previously carried out dangerous manoeuvres near Russian warships and described the helicopter’s actions as provocative. The Kremlin declined to comment, saying it did not have details.
The incidents were reported amid heightened security concerns along NATO’s eastern flank and the Russia–Ukraine war. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has pledged to strengthen the alliance’s defences along its eastern border, which includes territory adjoining Russia and Belarus.
