Authorities continue search for suspected drone debris in Varėna district

Officials resumed the search on Tuesday for debris from a suspected drone that crashed and exploded over Lake Lavysas in Varėna district, Lithuania.

According to the National Crisis Management Centre (NKVC), all relevant agencies gathered at the site at 9:00 a.m. to continue the investigation. The area was secured overnight by police and military police units, and further inspections are expected to conclude on Tuesday.

Police spokesperson Ramūnas Matonis told ELTA that the site is being examined by officers from the State Security Department (Aro), experts, and officials from the Alytus County Police Commissariat. The investigation has been classified as part of an ongoing pre-trial war crimes probe launched in 2022 in connection with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Initial reports suggest the object, possibly originating from Belarus, crashed into Lake Lavysas early Monday morning without posing a risk to residents. Witnesses reported hearing an explosion, and video footage circulating on social media appears to confirm the incident. Military radar systems did not detect the object as it entered Lithuanian airspace.

The National Security Commission, led by Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė, is scheduled to discuss the incident on Tuesday.