Lithuanian leaders rushed to bunkers as drone violates country’s airspace
Vilnius residents urged to take shelter during alert, after Nato and EU warn that Russia is diverting Ukraine’s drones
TL;DR
- Lithuania issued its first air raid alert in an EU/Nato country after a drone violated its airspace, prompting leaders to take shelter.
- Air and train traffic in Vilnius were suspended, and residents were urged to seek shelter.
- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte blamed Russia and Belarus for drone incursions into EU/Nato airspace.
- Lithuania's foreign minister accused Russia of deliberately redirecting Ukrainian drones and conducting smear campaigns against Baltic states.
- The drone was detected in Belarusian airspace and entered the Vilnius area, with its origin and whether it crashed or left Lithuania's airspace unknown.
- Nato fighter jets were unable to locate the drone.
- Russia's ambassador to the UN made controversial claims about Kyiv launching drones from Baltic states and threatened retaliation.