Lithuania scrambles its air forces after unidentified drone crashed near border with Belarus
Illustrative photo: Air Force forces are heading to the scene, with police already on site (facebook.com Lietuvos policija)
"Given the current situation, tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. I am convening a meeting of the National Security Commission, where all the circumstances related to this incident will be presented," she said.
Ruginienė stated that the object that fell in the Varėna district does not pose a danger to local residents.
"Police, the Fire and Rescue Department are working at the scene, and an Air Force helicopter, along with other forces, is heading there — the Shield plan has been activated. The Lithuanian Army will regularly share all available information with the public as quickly as possible," the Lithuanian prime minister emphasized.
The incident reportedly occurred at 3:04 a.m. local time on Monday, March 23.
A Russian drone was recently detected over the Moldovan village of Tudora in the country’s south. According to authorities, the drone carried explosives.
Earlier, Russian drones were also recorded violating the airspace of Poland and Romania. Military drones have additionally crossed into Lithuanian territory from Belarus in July.
In Germany, over the past year, more than a thousand drones were detected flying over military sites. Pursuit of NATO ships by drones, or drone maneuvers over European infrastructure, has also become commonplace.
In particular, a Russian drone approached the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle while it was in the port of Malmö, Sweden, where the flagship had arrived for training. Swedish military forces used electronic warfare (EW) to neutralize it.
