Lithuania says drone sighting turns out to be flock of birds, after NATO summons jets
- On Sunday, Lithuanian authorities temporarily closed Vilnius International Airport after detecting a suspected drone sighting. The National Crisis Management Centre confirmed the object was a flock of birds, and the airport reopened within 38 minutes.
- Radar operators face persistent technical challenges because 'on initial radar readings, marks left by birds and drones can be similar,' the National Crisis Management Centre noted. This ambiguity forces authorities to trigger rapid military responses even when threats remain unverified.
- A fighter jet was summoned from Siauliai in northern Lithuania, where the Italian air force is currently based as part of the NATO Baltic Air Defence mission. The jet conducted visual identification of the detected object.
- The temporary closure reflects extreme sensitivity of Baltic airspace monitoring, where rapid military intervention is standard practice. This incident demonstrates the ongoing pressure on regional defenses to maintain immediate capabilities during periods of high alert.
- As Russia intensifies aggression against Ukraine, NATO Allies remain on high alert, with President Gitanas Nausda emphasizing that such readiness is vital for the region's defense. The incident underscores the Baltics' role as NATO's eastern flank amid ongoing security pressures.
119 Articles
119 Articles
NATO fighters on an air defense mission in the Baltic states shot down a drone for the first time in Lithuanian airspace on Tuesday night, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda announced. The Lithuanian armed forces had previously warned the population of a possible air threat via messages sent to mobile phones.
According to Lithuania's President Gitanas Nauseda, Nato fighter jets have shot down a drone over Lithuania. "This commitment to our region is crucial.
NATO fighter planes have shot down a drone over Lithuania.
A NATO fighter jet shot down a drone in Lithuanian airspace, the origin of which is still unclear, while it is believed to have entered from the direction of Belarus. The post Lithuania: NATO fighter jet shot down a drone, according to Lithuanian sources appeared first on in.gr.
A drone has invaded and been shot down in Lithuanian airspace. President Nausėda thanks Nato and points to "the increasing aggression of Russia against Ukraine".
Nato scrambles fighter jets after drone breaches Lithuanian airspace as residents sent emergency alert
Nato has scrambled fighter jets over Lithuania after an unidentified object entered the country's airspace, triggering emergency alerts for residents.Alliance fighter jets shot down the intruder shortly after midnight as authorities responded to the incursion over the eastern European country.The drone is believed to have entered the country from Belarus and was shot down near Pratkunai village in southern Lithuania, near Kaunas, the second-larg…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 41% of the sources lean Right
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
