Unknown drone from Belarus forces Lithuanian leaders into shelter

Lithuania recorded a violation of its airspace by Belarus. Initially, it was assumed that a Shahed drone flew over the country, but later, border guards found that it was a small homemade drone made of plywood and foam.

It fell one kilometer from the Belarusian border, near the closed Shumsk checkpoint.

Amid the threat, the air force switched NATO fighter jets from training to combat mode. Yet, the combat mission was canceled immediately after the crash.

Due to the violation of airspace, Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas and Seimas Speaker Saulius Skvernelis were taken to a shelter by the security service.

According to preliminary information, the drone was not carrying cargo and did not pose a direct threat. Lithuanian army units arrived at the site to ensure the security of the territory.

The media added that Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda was on an official visit to Ireland at the time of the incident.

The Lithuanian armed forces showed a photo of the drone.

Drones in NATO airspace

Russian drones are increasingly violating NATO airspace, provoking security threats and forcing the Alliance to respond immediately. There has been an increase in incidents on the borders with Poland, Romania, Lithuania, and Latvia.

Drones from Russia or the territories under its control have repeatedly flown into border areas or crossed the airspace, causing alarms and the deployment of fighter jets.

Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs said earlier that a Russian military drone crashed in the eastern part of his country. An investigation has been launched in Latvia.

Also, according to the Air Force, on the night of September 7-8, a Russian drone flew into Romania from the Odesa region. Residents of the Romanian counties bordering Ukraine received notifications about the threat of a falling object.