Lithuania has declared a red alert following the detection of an unidentified flying object, while Poland investigates a potential airspace violation. NATO fighter jets have been deployed as a precaution.
On Sunday morning, the military and the National Crisis Management Center urged residents in central and northern Lithuania to seek shelter for one hour after the object was detected, according to reports from Reuters.
Under a “red” level air alert, NATO’s air policing mission dispatched fighter aircraft, and the Kaunas airport was closed, as confirmed by Lithuanian authorities.
Lithuanian military personnel are probing the possible presence of drone debris near the village of Juodzionys in northern Lithuania. Investigations commenced after the unidentified object disappeared from radar, as reported by the national crisis management agency.
Alerts and Investigations in Neighboring Countries
The object likely entered Lithuania from Poland, the National Crisis Management Center indicated, citing information from the Lithuanian military.
In response, the Polish army announced on Sunday that it is looking into a potential airspace breach by the unidentified object.
Latvia, located to the north of Lithuania, also issued a “yellow” level air alert in certain regions bordering Lithuania, citing a “possible threat.” This alert was later lifted, according to the Latvian military.
This incident follows a mid-September event where NATO aircraft shot down another drone that had entered Lithuania. In recent months, Ukrainian aircraft have repeatedly breached airspace in the Baltic region.
