Lithuanian president thanks NATO for support amid drone threat

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda has thanked NATO and EU allies for their solidarity after a drone entered the country’s airspace on Wednesday, triggering air raid alerts in multiple regions, LRT reports.

“Thank you to NATO and EU allies for their support and expressed solidarity today. It is becoming clear that the security of the Baltic states is the security of all of Europe. Lithuania remains firm, resolute, and committed to defending freedom,” Nausėda wrote on X.

Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas confirmed that Lithuania received offers of assistance from NATO partners following the incident. “I received messages from our NATO allies asking whether additional support was needed. Communication is ongoing,” he told reporters.

The Lithuanian military reported that radar detected an unmanned aerial vehicle near the border early Wednesday, prompting NATO fighter jets to scramble. Airspace over Vilnius Airport was temporarily closed, and train operations in the Vilnius region were suspended. The National Crisis Management Centre (NKVC) issued air raid warnings for residents in Ignalina, Utena, Švenčionys, and Zarasai districts, later extending them to the Vilnius region. The alerts were lifted within an hour.

Police stated no reports had been received of a drone crash in Lithuanian territory. NKVC chief Vilmantas Vitkauskas said the drone crossed into Lithuania around 9:40 AM but disappeared from radar near Merkine at approximately 11:09 AM.

The incident follows recent claims by Russia accusing Baltic states of allowing Ukraine to use their territory to launch attacks. Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys dismissed the allegations as propaganda, stating they underscore the need for effective deterrence.

“Moscow and Minsk are responsible for violations of our airspace and threats to civilian safety,” Budrys wrote on X, adding that Russia is deliberately redirecting Ukrainian drones toward the Baltics using electronic warfare.

Several drones have entered Lithuanian, Latvian, and Estonian airspace in recent weeks, though none have caused significant damage or casualties. Wednesday’s alert marked the first time an air raid warning was declared in eastern Lithuania due to a drone threat.