Lithuanian FM Urges NATO Action After Russian Drone Enters Country
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys held a phone conversation with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte to raise urgent concerns over repeated airspace violations by Russian drones.
The Gaze reports this, referring to Budrys’s post on social media platform X.
Budrys stressed that the increasing number of incursions by Russian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) represents a growing security threat to NATO.
The Lithuanian foreign minister underscored that these violations are not isolated incidents or a threat solely to Lithuania or other front-line allies, but rather a shared security challenge for the entire Alliance.
He emphasized the need for swift and decisive action to bolster counter-drone and air defense capabilities across NATO's eastern front.
“NATO’s defense is not theoretical – it’s real and present. Our message to our citizens and signal to our adversaries are clear – we will defend every inch of NATO territory, both on the ground and in the air,” Budrys said.
The conversation follows the July 28 incident when a Russian drone crashed at a Lithuanian military training ground.
According to Delfi, citing Lithuanian Prosecutor General Nida Grunskiene, the drone, believed to be a “Gerbera” model, was carrying an explosive device, which Lithuanian military specialists successfully neutralized on site. The drone's remnants are now undergoing further analysis.
Grunskiene praised the civilians who promptly reported the drone’s flight path, which was critical in locating the crash site. She urged the public not to move suspicious objects, stressing the potential danger.
Lithuanian Defence Minister Dovilė Šakalienė suggested the drone may have been launched toward Ukraine but was diverted due to strong air defenses, eventually veering off course into Lithuanian airspace. While deliberate targeting is not suspected, Lithuanian officials view the incursion as a serious breach.
Read more on The Gaze: The Baltics are Preparing for Defense Against Russia