NATO jets down drone that crossed into Lithuania from Belarus

September 15, 2026 at 04:26 AM1 min

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NATO fighter pilots shot down a drone that entered Lithuanian airspace overnight near Kaunas, President Gitanas Nausėda said on Tuesday. The drone likely crossed from Belarus shortly after midnight, triggering alerts in Vilnius and the surrounding region. The drone's origin remains undetermined as Lithuania reinforced its air defense readiness with NATO allies.

Key Facts

NATO fighter jets destroyed a drone that entered Lithuanian airspace overnight near Kaunas, the country's second-largest city.
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda announced the interception on X on Tuesday, stating the drone was destroyed by NATO fighters.
The drone likely crossed into southern Lithuania from Belarus shortly after midnight on Tuesday, according to Lithuanian authorities.
Drone alerts sounded across Vilnius and the surrounding region earlier on Tuesday.
The drone's origin has not yet been determined, a spokesperson for Lithuania's national crisis management centre said.

Airspace Violation

The drone entered Lithuanian airspace overnight and was shot down by NATO fighter pilots, President Gitanas Nausėda said on Tuesday. Lithuanian authorities said the drone likely entered southern Lithuania, near Kaunas, from Belarus shortly after midnight. Drone alerts sounded across the capital Vilnius and the surrounding region earlier on Tuesday. A spokesperson for the Lithuanian national crisis management centre said the drone's origins are yet to be determined.

Official Response

President Nausėda wrote on X that the drone was destroyed by NATO fighter jets and stressed the importance of readiness amid Russia's aggression against Ukraine. He added that Lithuania, together with its NATO allies, will defend its airspace. Lithuania shares a large part of its southern and eastern border with Belarus, a key Russian ally. Military drone incursions have become increasingly common across Europe since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began.