Lithuania could not shoot down suspected drone without visual identification

Lithuania did not attempt to shoot down a suspected drone because pilots could not identify it visually in difficult weather, Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas said, according to LRT. The air alert in parts of the country was later lifted, but it remains unclear whether the object was neutralised or left Lithuanian airspace.

Kaunas said the object entered Lithuanian airspace and was tracked by both Lithuanian and fighter jet radars. In peacetime, however, it must also be identified visually before a decision can be made to destroy it. Fog and cloud prevented pilots from seeing the object clearly, he said.

Warnings were issued for the Kaunas, Šiauliai and Biržai districts. The area near Biržai, where the object was last detected, will be surveyed. Kaunas said it was possible, but unconfirmed, that the drone had flown into Latvia.

The military will assess whether the object may have crashed and whether it poses any danger on the ground. Kaunas said officials may also review procedures for handling similar situations.

The air alert was declared in Šiauliai and Panevėžys counties. The National Crisis Management Centre later announced that it had been lifted after lasting nearly an hour in parts of Lithuania.