Bomb disposal teams neutralize explosive found on drone in Lithuania

A drone that entered Lithuania from Belarus was carrying an explosive, which bomb disposal teams neutralized, Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas said, according to LRT. Specialists will continue examining the drone and analysing its remains.

Kaunas said it was not yet clear whether the drone was Russian or a Ukrainian drone that had deviated from its course. He said investigators were collecting debris, searching the surrounding area for additional fragments and trying to establish the drone’s route.

The drone entered Lithuania overnight from Monday to Tuesday. Authorities sent warnings to residents in Vilnius, Trakai and Elektrėnai, and later in Kaunas County, advising them to identify a safe place.

Personnel carrying out NATO’s air defence mission destroyed the drone near Pratkūnai village in Kaišiadorys District. The area has been cordoned off and placed under guard, while military police and Lithuanian police are working at the scene under the Shield plan.

Kaunas said the response had protected both Lithuanian and NATO airspace. “This incident showed that we are able to act in coordination as a team, respond in time, make the necessary decisions and neutralize objects that enter Lithuania, thereby ensuring the safety of our citizens,” he said.

The minister warned that incidents in the Baltic region could increase if Russia was not pressured to negotiate peace.