NATO jet shoots down suspected Russian drone over Lithuania
EU chief warns of wider conflict as border incursions stoke fears that Ukraine war is spilling into neighbouring states.
An Italian fighter jet flying for NATO has brought down what officials said was a suspected Russian drone in Lithuanian airspace.
According to Lithuania’s national crisis management centre, the drone entered the country’s airspace on Tuesday from Belarus and was shot down near the small settlement of Pratkunai in central Lithuania, just north of the country’s second-largest city, Kaunas.
Lithuania’s Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas said on social media the drone was carrying an explosive.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called the incident part of a pattern of “aggression and provocation” against Europe. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul laid the blame on Russia, saying that NATO members would not be intimidated.