NATO fighter jets shoot down a drone in Lithuanian airspace
Poland puts its aviation on alert in the face of Moscow's "provocations"
BarcelonaNATO fighter jets shot down a drone early this morning within Lithuanian airspace that had been launched from Belarus. The unmanned aerial vehicle triggered alarms in the capital, Vilnius. At the same time, Poland has activated its air forces as a preventive measure after recovering what it believes to be a Russian drone in the Baltic Sea.
The Belarusian drone was shot down over the town of Pratkunai, in the south-central part of the country, according to emergency services. The route it had followed originated from Belarus heading west, according to national radio citing the crisis management center. The country's president, Gitanas Nauseda, warned on X that "when Russia intensifies its aggression against Ukraine, it is vital that our region be prepared".
The Lithuanian Foreign Minister, Kestutis Budrys, thanked the NATO allies for their support: "With their presence, they protect our skies and reinforce our security". And he highlighted that the action "sends a clear message that NATO is alert, committed, and prepared".
Since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, the three former Soviet republics bordering Russia that belong to NATO, have suffered drone incursions. All three, but especially Lithuania, are also the base of operations for the Russian and Belarusian opposition in exile. Last May, a NATO fighter jet shot down a drone over Estonian airspace for the first time.
Poland recovers a drone in the Baltic Sea
On the other hand, Poland recovered an unmanned aerial vehicle on its Baltic Sea coast on Monday, which prompted its aviation to be put on alert, after a Russian drone struck a Ukrainian passenger train on Sunday, just 2 km from its border.
Polish authorities explained this Tuesday that they believe it is a Gerbera, a long-range device made of cheap and lightweight materials, which is normally used as a decoy for anti-aircraft defenses but can also be equipped to carry explosives. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has warned that NATO countries must prepare for an escalation in Moscow's provocations.