Ignalinos nuclear plant security questioned by MEPs over drone and cyber threats

Members of the European Parliament are questioning whether Lithuania’s Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant (INPP) is sufficiently protected against drone incursions and cyberattacks.

LRT reports that the concerns were raised as part of broader discussions on allocating EU budget funds for the protection of critical infrastructure across the bloc.

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the vulnerability of nuclear facilities has become a priority issue. Russian forces targeted the Chornobyl and Zaporizhzhia plants in Ukraine, aiming to disrupt power transmission and exert nuclear blackmail. Lithuania’s MEPs are now asking whether Ignalina, a facility whose damage could cause radioactive contamination, is adequately shielded.

“We are not only talking about protecting the plant itself. Anti-drone systems are important, but so is cybersecurity. Both aspects are critical,” said MEP Virginijus Sinkevičius.

MEP Paulius Saudargas said negotiations on EU funding for decommissioning the plant have included provisions for security upgrades, including protection against drone threats.

“The current project includes a security element—we hope it remains in place. Discussions in the European Parliament are ongoing, and funding for drone protection is part of the proposal,” he said.

Energy Minister Žygimantas Vaičiūnas noted that while Lithuania is strengthening protection for critical sites such as the liquefied natural gas terminal “Independence,” constant updates are needed to keep pace with evolving threats.

“We raised this funding question a year ago. At the time, it was said to be impossible. We welcome that the European Commission has now allocated initial funding to EU countries for this purpose,” he said.

Security for critical infrastructure in Lithuania is managed by the State Security Department, with military support available in certain cases. Some facilities have already been equipped with anti-drone systems.