Lithuanian military searches for suspected drone in Dzūkija forests

The Lithuanian military is continuing its search for a suspected drone believed to have crashed Tuesday in the densely forested Dzūkija region, though officials acknowledge it may have crossed into Belarus, LRT reports.

Military leaders state that radar data suggests the object’s trajectory was altered by electronic warfare measures, with erratic maneuvers detected over Belarusian territory. Defense Minister Robertas Kaunas confirmed that while Ukraine has acknowledged responsibility for a separate drone found Sunday in Utena district—apologizing for its unintended entry—ownership of the Dzūkija object remains unverified.

“It’s clear Ukraine conducts defensive strikes against Russia, but we cannot yet confirm or deny who owns this specific drone,” Kaunas said. The Sunday incident involved a Ukrainian drone disabled by Russian electronic countermeasures, according to Lithuanian authorities.

Search efforts in Varėna district, led by over 100 troops and supported by military drones, face challenges due to thick forests and swampy terrain. Locals express skepticism about recovery, with one resident telling LRT, “If it fell in a lake, you’ll never find it. There are so many here.”

Varėna’s deputy mayor, Alvydas Verbickas, offered a wry assessment of the operation’s prospects: “That drone will be found once the chanterelles start sprouting—and our mushroom pickers will stumble upon it.” Military commanders, meanwhile, urge residents to report any sightings or sounds linked to the object.

The incident has reignited political pressure on Lithuania’s air defense capabilities. Lawmakers demanded clarity on timelines for implementing an integrated air defense system, currently allocated €500 million but deemed insufficient for full coverage. “The plan exists, funding exists, and a timeline will be provided,” assured Rimantas Sinkevičius, chair of the Seim’s National Security and Defense Committee, though officials admit current resources will prioritize major cities and strategic sites.

Lithuania’s military chief, Raimundas Vaikšnoras, revealed that Belarus initially denied unusual activity despite radar detecting erratic flight patterns—including possible helicopter or fighter jet movements—before notifying Lithuania only after the object moved toward its border. The drone later vanished from Lithuanian radar near Varėna.

“We’ve seen this before: circles in the sky, then denials. Perhaps they were hunting Ukrainian drones,” Vaikšnoras said, emphasizing the need for robust anti-drone solutions. Defense Minister Kaunas added, “The question now is which technologies we need to integrate into a unified system for effective countermeasures.”