Lithuania recovers crashed military drone in Utena district

Lithuania’s defence minister confirmed Sunday that a long-range drone, likely of Ukrainian origin, violated the country’s airspace before crashing in the Utena region, LRT reported.

The drone, carrying explosives, was located and neutralised by authorities on Sunday evening. Residents who had been evacuated were permitted to return home after the area was secured.

Speaking on LRT’s Dienos tema programme, Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas said the drone’s flight path and border guard detection data suggested it was the same aircraft reported missing earlier in the day. “Based on the trajectory and detection, this is likely the drone that was identified,” he said.

Kaunas described the drone as a “long-range type used by Ukraine for self-defence” but noted that investigations were ongoing to confirm its origin.

Lithuania currently lacks an audio-sensor system capable of detecting drones with engines, unlike Latvia, which has partially implemented such technology, and Ukraine, where tens of thousands of sensors are deployed. Kaunas explained that acoustic sensors are most effective when defending a strategic depth of several dozen kilometres—something Lithuania’s compact territory limits.

“Acoustic sensors only partially proved effective in Latvia—they detected the explosion, not the drone’s flight itself,” he said. “We are considering this option but are primarily developing an integrated anti-drone air defence system from the ground up.”

The minister acknowledged delays in establishing a unified system linking radars, sensors, and counter-drone measures. “I inherited what existed in the ministry,” he said. “No radar was deliberately switched off—we’re rushing to activate new ones, procure additional radars, and modernise intercepting drones.”

Lithuanian-made software, designed to integrate radar, acoustic, and kinetic anti-drone solutions, is currently being tested by the country’s Air Force. Kaunas said the full system should begin operating by late summer, though it will not cover 100% of the territory.

Ukrainian air defence experts are expected to arrive next month to advise Lithuania on avoiding mistakes made in Ukraine’s own drone defence efforts.