NATO jets destroy drone over Lithuania as air warning is lifted

A drone that entered Lithuanian airspace was destroyed in the air near Kaunas County, and an air danger warning issued for several municipalities was lifted shortly afterwards, LRT reported.

The Fire and Rescue Department announced shortly after midnight that a drone had entered Lithuania and that a probable air danger had been declared for several areas. About 30 minutes later, officials said the drone had been destroyed near Kaunas District.

Vilmantas Vitkauskas, head of the National Crisis Management Centre, said the drone was initially detected near Trakai District and that NATO air policing fighter jets had been activated. He said he did not have information about the precise location where the drone was destroyed.

Preliminary information later indicated that the drone was destroyed in Alytus District, near Navasiolkų village. Military police, police officers and other services were dispatched to the scene.

The warning was sent to residents in Vilnius and Vilnius District, as well as the Trakai and Elektrėnai municipalities. The National Crisis Management Centre said NATO air policing fighters had been scrambled in response to the threat.

According to preliminary information, the drone is believed to have entered Lithuania from Belarusian territory.

Vilnius Airport operator Lithuanian Airports said the airport’s operations and the airspace had been restricted because of the potential air danger. Flight information was available on the airport’s website and by telephone.

Residents are advised to seek the nearest designated shelter or another safe place when they hear the civil protection signal for air danger. Suitable locations include basements, windowless interior rooms, underground passages and tunnels. People are advised to avoid windows, balconies, lifts and open spaces.

The previous air danger warning issued to residents, on Sunday, was later found to have been triggered by radar detection of a flock of birds.