NATO jet shoots down drone over Lithuania

A NATO fighter jet intercepted and shot down an unidentified drone over southern Lithuania shortly after midnight on Tuesday, the alliance confirmed in a statement released early Wednesday. The aircraft involved was part of the NATO Baltic Air Policing mission, which maintains a continuous air‑defence presence over the three Baltic states. According to NATO, the drone was detected by radar, failed to respond to radio communications, and posed a potential threat to civilian and military infrastructure, prompting the decision to engage.

The incident marks the first time a NATO‑operated fighter has been used to neutralize an aerial object in the region since the mission began in 2004. No injuries or damage were reported, and Lithuanian authorities are cooperating with NATO to identify the origin and purpose of the drone. The alliance reiterated its commitment to safeguarding the airspace of its member states and indicated that monitoring and response capabilities will remain fully operational.