NATO forces intercepted and shot down a drone that had entered Lithuanian airspace overnight, officials confirmed Tuesday. This was the first time a drone had been shot down in Lithuania’s airspace, according to military officials from the country. Authorities did not immediately identify the drone's origin or purpose, but officials later confirmed it carried an explosive device. The drone was intercepted near the village of Pratkūnai, about 60 miles west of Vilnius. The device remained in the air for around 30 minutes before being shot down, flying near populated areas. Lithuanian Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas said that bomb-disposal teams neutralized an explosive device on the drone. Reuters reported that the aircraft that destroyed the drone was an Italian fighter jet deployed on a NATO mission. Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said the drone most probably came from Russia, but Lithuanian authorities said its origin was still under investigation.
The incident occurred shortly after a Russian drone struck a Warsaw-bound train near the Ukraine-Poland border on Sunday, according to France 24. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said such actions showed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s desperation and desire to instill fear. Rutte added that strikes close to NATO territory would only increase support for Ukraine in the ongoing war. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the incidents in Lithuania and Denmark as part of a pattern of Russian aggression and provocation, according to a report from Al Jazeera. She said Russia’s actions were not isolated and were testing Europe’s readiness and resolve.
Vilmantas Vitkauskas, head of Lithuania’s National Crisis Management Center, said the drone most likely entered Lithuania from Belarus. Lithuania shares borders with both Belarus and Russia’s Kaliningrad exclave, making it vulnerable to such incursions. In May, residents in Vilnius were told to take shelter due to drone activity near the Belarusian border. Reuters reported that two Russian drones accidentally crashed in Lithuania during the summer of 2025. If the newly downed drone is confirmed to be Russian, it would be the first known Russian military drone to enter Lithuania since those incidents.
Earlier this year, a Ukrainian drone was also shot down over Estonia after crossing into Baltic airspace. Meanwhile, Denmark reported that one of its helicopters was fired on with flares while conducting surveillance over the Baltic Sea. The Danish foreign ministry said the Russian ambassador was summoned over the incident, calling it unacceptable. Russia's ambassador to Denmark responded by accusing Danish forces of provocative behavior near Russian warships. NATO jets also shot down stray Ukrainian drones over Latvia in June and August. Ukraine has said Russian electronic warfare caused some Ukrainian drones to stray into NATO airspace.
The Kremlin did not comment on the drone incident or the flare attack, with spokesperson Dmitry Peskov saying he had no details. The NATO alliance has been increasing its defensive posture along its eastern borders in response to recent Russian actions. NATO leaders have warned that continued aggression could lead to further escalation of support for Ukraine. Lithuania’s leadership has expressed concern that the war in Ukraine is spreading beyond its borders. Kaunas said that while Putin does not want peace, incidents like these could continue unless a negotiated settlement is reached. NATO’s Baltic air mission has patrolled the skies of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia since the three countries joined the alliance in 2004.
The drone incident adds to growing concerns about Russian activity in the Baltic region and beyond. Other NATO members, including Germany, Poland, and the United Kingdom, have also accused Russia of similar actions. These include drone incursions, sabotage, arson, and surveillance of defense facilities. The situation underscores the increasing risks to European security as the war in Ukraine continues.