Lithuania currently faces no direct air threat despite Latvia’s alert, prime minister says

Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė stated on Thursday that the country currently faces no immediate air threat, despite Latvia declaring an air danger alert in its eastern regions, LRT reports.

“Our military, responsible agencies, and institutions are continuously monitoring the situation and maintaining close contact with allies,” Ruginienė wrote on Facebook. She urged the public to remain calm, rely only on official information, and follow instructions from authorities. “Should the situation change, the public will be informed without delay,” she added.

Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas confirmed that no drone was detected moving toward Lithuania. “According to the latest data, nothing is heading toward Lithuania,” he told journalists at the Seimas.

Latvia’s armed forces issued the air danger warning at 10:45 AM local time, covering the municipalities of Kraslava, Rēzekne, Ludza, and Augšdaugava. Residents received emergency alerts on their mobile phones. In response, NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission scrambled fighter jets.

The alert follows a similar air threat declaration in Lithuania on Wednesday after an unmanned aerial vehicle was spotted near the eastern border. The drone later entered Lithuanian airspace, prompting warnings in the districts of Ignalina, Utena, Švenčionys, and Zarasai, later extended to Vilnius and Alytus counties. Residents in the Vilnius region were advised to seek shelter.