Lithuania has called on NATO to bolster its air defences following Russian drones from Belarus violating its airspace, one of which allegedly carried explosives, according to authorities. Vilnius says defending NATO’s eastern flank should be a shared responsibility.
Lithuania's foreign and defence ministries have formally requested NATO’s assistance in strengthening the country’s air defences in a letter to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
“This must not be only Lithuania's responsibility, because we are defending the eastern NATO flank,” said Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys on Tuesday. Lithuania, a NATO and European Union member, shares borders with both Russia and Belarus.
In one incident, a Gerbera drone — identified as a wooden replica of the Iranian-designed Shahed kamikaze drone — entered Lithuanian territory on 28 July and crashed in a military training zone roughly 100 km from the Belarusian border according to Lithuanian army officials who said the drone carried 2 kg of explosives.
Defence Minister Dovile Sakaliene said that the drone may have originally been directed toward Ukraine but was diverted by Ukrainian air defences.
A separate drone incident on 10 July prompted brief emergency evacuations of top Lithuanian officials, including then-Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas and Speaker of Parliament Saulius Skvernelis. Authorities later deemed the drone non-threatening.
NATO responded by confirming it is monitoring the situation and noted that Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) General Gregory M. Grynkewich has the authority to take necessary defensive measures.
The alliance also highlighted ongoing efforts by member states to enhance detection and counter-drone capabilities.
U.S. President Donald Trump has ruled out ordering a mission to capture Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying he is confident the war in Ukraine ca...
Ali Larijani, a senior Iranian official and adviser to the supreme leader, has said recent protests amount to a security crisis directed from abroad, ...
Pakistan has urged its citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Iran because of security concerns linked to continuing unrest, the foreign ministry s...
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 10th of January, covering the latest developments you need to ...
Syrian government forces have moved into Aleppo’s Sheikh Maksoud district after a temporary ceasefire with Kurdish fighters collapsed, the army said...
Ali Larijani, a senior Iranian official and adviser to the supreme leader, has said recent protests amount to a security crisis directed from abroad, warning that the aim is to polarise society and weaken national unity at a moment of heightened confrontation.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 10th of January, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Warning of a strategic threat from Russia and China, Donald Trump said on Friday that the United States must acquire Greenland to prevent the Arctic island from falling under foreign control.
Thousands of firefighters worked tirelessly on Saturday in Victoria, Australia, to combat bushfires that have destroyed homes, left tens of thousands without power, and scorched large areas of bushland.
U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that Iran could face a strong response from the United States if its authorities kill protesters amid ongoing unrest.
Iran is now facing a near‑total internet blackout as anti-government protests sweep the country. Major cities including Tehran have seen connectivity drop sharply, leaving millions of residents isolated from online communication.
New York City parents could soon have access to free childcare for two-year-old children following a joint announcement made by Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Governor Kathy Hochul on Thursday (8 January).
Tens of thousands of Iranians have taken to the streets in Tehran and across at least 28 cities in a wave of anti-government demonstrations, now entering their twelfth day.
Türkiye has stepped back from mediating between Pakistan and Afghanistan after repeated efforts failed to narrow deep differences between Islamabad and Kabul.
U.S. President Donald Trump has ruled out ordering a mission to capture Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying he is confident the war in Ukraine can be brought to an end.
Pakistan has urged its citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Iran because of security concerns linked to continuing unrest, the foreign ministry said on Saturday.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 10th of January, covering the latest developments you need to know.
North Korea has accused South Korea of flying a surveillance drone into its airspace earlier this month, an allegation Pyongyang says violates its sovereignty and comes just ahead of a major ruling party congress expected to shape policy for the next five years.
Protesters marched through downtown Minneapolis on Friday night, setting off fireworks and banging pots and pans as they gathered outside hotels said to be housing federal immigration agents.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment