Lithuania declares likely air threat after possible drone sighting

Lithuania has declared a likely air threat, marked yellow, in Vilnius city and the Vilnius, Trakai and Elektrėnai districts following a possible drone sighting, LRT reported, citing the Lithuanian Armed Forces.

Residents who receive the warning are advised to identify a safe place or shelter. Anyone who sees a suspicious object should not approach it and should call 112.

The NKVC said fighter jets involved in NATO’s air defence mission in Lithuania had been scrambled. Flights to and from Vilnius Airport were temporarily suspended.

A shelter is intended to provide short-term protection, lasting up to several hours, from the direct and indirect effects of military aggression, including aircraft, missile and artillery attacks, shrapnel, debris, blast waves and stray bullets.

Suitable shelters may include basements in apartment buildings and public buildings, underground car parks, garages, tunnels, basements, and other premises. Residents can also seek protection in a ditch, depression in the ground or underground pedestrian passage.

Under a yellow likely air threat warning, residents should identify a safe place or shelter, avoid suspicious objects and wait for further instructions. A red air threat warning means residents should immediately go to a safe place or shelter. A yellow warning after a red alert means they should remain in shelter and await further instructions. A white alert means they may leave.

Information on shelters and emergency situations is available on the LT72.lt website.