Lithuanian president warns against using its airspace for drone operations

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda has issued a stern warning to “warring nations in Europe” not to use the country’s airspace for drone overflights, calling it a violation of sovereignty and international law, LRT reports.

Speaking on the public broadcaster’s Dienos tema programme, Remigijus Motuzas, chair of the Seimas Foreign Affairs Committee, said the president’s statement was prompted by recent escalations, including Russian accusations that Lithuania and other Baltic states allow Ukraine to use their territory for military operations.

“One of the key reasons is to prevent disinformation and speculation by Russia,” Motuzas said. He noted that while Ukraine has the right to strike Russian infrastructure in response to aggression, Lithuania must prioritise its own security and that of its people.

Laurynas Kasčiūnas, deputy chair of the Seimas National Security and Defence Committee, added that Ukrainian drones often enter Lithuanian airspace due to Russian electronic warfare tactics that redirect them off course. He stressed that Ukraine’s actions remain legally justified as self-defence against Russian aggression.

The president’s warning follows recent incidents, including a drone crash in Latvia’s Rēzekne region and another in Lithuania’s Dzūkija area, which have intensified regional tensions.