Lithuania should allocate more funding for border security and public safety, says ruling party leader

Lithuania’s governing Nemuno aušra faction leader Remigijus Žemaitaitis has called for increased funding for border protection and public security following the crash of a drone in the Varėna district, state broadcaster LRT reports.

Speaking to journalists near the Presidential Palace on Tuesday, Žemaitaitis stressed that a larger share of the defence budget—3.8% of GDP—should be directed specifically toward border and public security measures. “It is clear that this should be the priority,” he stated.

He criticised the lack of coordination between Prime Minister Ingrida Ruginienė and President Gitanas Nausėda after the incident, questioning why Ruginienė convened a National Security Commission meeting immediately after their discussion at the presidency. “It seemed very odd when the prime minister said she was also calling a defence council meeting, though everyone knows the commander-in-chief is the president,” Žemaitaitis said.

He also highlighted delays in public notification about the drone, noting that authorities were aware by 10 AM Monday, yet the public was only informed in the evening. “Imagine if, as I’ve said before, ‘little green men’ were moving through Kapčiamiescis—when would residents find out if one reached Alytus or Marijampolė?” he asked.

Opposition leaders echoed concerns over slow progress in strengthening air defences. Liberal Movement chair Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen said insufficient action had been taken since July, when two drones entered Lithuanian airspace. “We had time to prepare, yet not enough was done to avoid a situation where we fail to detect and respond immediately,” she said.

Laurynas Kasčiūnas of the Homeland Union–Lithuanian Christian Democrats urged the Seimas’ National Security and Defence Committee to demand monthly progress reports on deploying detection systems, including low-altitude radars and drone identification technology. “Right now, our top officials are playing in a sandbox. That’s not what the state needs today,” he remarked.

Authorities confirmed the downed drone was Ukrainian, intended for an attack on Russia, and had strayed off course. Last year, two Russian “Gerbera” drones—one carrying explosives—accidentally entered Lithuanian airspace en route to Ukraine.