Unauthorised drone flights detected twice near Vilnius and Palanga airports

Lithuania’s Public Security Service (VST) reported two separate incidents of unauthorised drone flights near Vilnius and Palanga airports in early May, according to a statement on Friday.

On May 3, the agency’s “Fly Safe” system detected an unauthorised drone operating in the restricted zone of Vilnius Airport. Responding officers traced the drone’s launch site and detained a Ukrainian national who admitted to flying the device for filming purposes but lacked the required permit. The drone was confiscated, and airport operations remained unaffected.

A second violation occurred on May 5 near Palanga Airport, where the “Drone Radar” system identified another unauthorised flight in the no-fly zone. Authorities apprehended a Lithuanian citizen operating the drone. Administrative proceedings have been initiated in both cases.