Lithuania took part from first minute of drone interception

Lithuania was involved from the moment a drone entered its airspace from Belarus and was detected, Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas told LRT’s “Dienos tema” programme. NATO fighter jets later shot down the drone, which was carrying an explosive device.

The drone was intercepted overnight in what LRT described as Lithuania’s first such incident. The explosive was neutralised by Aro bomb disposal specialists, while the drone debris was collected for examination.

Kaunas said Lithuania’s armed forces and air force detected the object and passed information to the NATO air-policing mission. Italian fighter jets took off shortly afterwards and neutralised the hostile drone.

He said the operation lasted approximately 30 minutes, although officials were still clarifying the precise chronology. Investigators are seeking to establish the drone’s purpose and identify who sent it into Lithuanian and NATO airspace.

The drone fell near Pratkūnai village, close to the town of Kruonis in Kaišiadorys district.

Asked why the drone had not been brought down using other, ground-based measures, Kaunas said the military was responsible for selecting the appropriate method. He said the most effective and safest option had to be chosen because falling debris could also cause damage.

Kaunas also said additional radars had been installed on Lithuania’s border and existing radars had been upgraded. Further radar systems have been ordered, and discussions with suppliers are under way to speed up their delivery.