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.
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