The Lithuanian army reported that around 5 p.m. Polish time, two Russian planes – a Su-30 fighter and an Il-78 tanker plane – entered Lithuanian airspace from the direction of the Kaliningrad Oblast. However, the violation lasted for a short time, as the machines left Lithuanian territory after only 18 seconds.
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda, in a video comment published by the presidential office, described the incident as a “gross violation of international law.” He emphasized that Lithuania cannot remain indifferent to such actions. He also expressed his belief that the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs should immediately summon representatives of the Russian embassy to deliver a protest note.
Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene, in her Facebook post, called Russia's actions “behavior of a terrorist state.” She emphasized that the situation was under full control and assured that Lithuania remained safe thanks to cooperation with NATO allies.
“Together we will watch over every inch of our country and defend it” – noted Ruginiene.
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President Nauseda drew attention to the growing number of similar incidents in the region, not only in Lithuania. “We condemn Russia's actions and the intrusion of military aircraft into our airspace,” the Lithuanian leader emphasized.
