Italian NATO jet downs suspected Russian drone over Lithuania

Italian NATO Jet Downs Suspected Russian Drone in Lithuanian Airspace

Incident Overview and Regional Security Implications

By Andrius Sytas, Tom Balmforth and Janis Laizans

Details of the Drone Incident

SIAULIAI AIR BASE, Lithuania, Sept 15 (Reuters) - An Italian fighter jet deployed on a NATO mission shot down a drone in Lithuanian airspace on Tuesday that "most probably" came from Russia, Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said.

Lithuanian authorities said on Tuesday they are still investigating the origin of the debris.

A Ukrainian military source told Reuters the debris in the images appeared to be from a Geran-2, a long-range attack drone widely used by Russia.

Russia did not immediately comment on the incident.

Historical Context and Previous Incidents

If confirmed, it would be the first known instance of a Russian military drone entering Lithuania, a NATO and European Union member, since the summer of 2025, when two Russian drones accidentally crashed in the country.

The drone entered Lithuanian airspace from Belarus, a Russian ally, after midnight and was shot down near the southern village of Pratkunai not far from the city of Kaunas, the Lithuanian national crisis management centre said.

Statements from Officials

"Last night, again, the Italian pilots have intervened and they have shot down a threat that most probably came from Russia", Crosetto told reporters at Siauliai Air Base, where Italian fighters are based as part of the NATO Baltic Air Defence mission.

"The presence of Italian aircraft here is the clear demonstration of the value of the Atlantic alliance for Italy and what it means to be an ally", he said after meeting crews with Lithuanian Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas.

Kaunas said on social media the drone carried an explosive.

Crash Site and Immediate Response

The Lithuanian Army shared video from the site of the crash, showing debris scattered in the grass. Some of the parts appeared to be made of wood and some appeared charred.

A drone alert had been issued in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius and Kaunas and the surrounding regions after the drone was detected.

Broader Security Concerns in the Baltic Region

Recent Drone Activity and NATO Response

DRONE ALERT

Ukrainian drones have repeatedly entered NATO airspace in the Baltic region in recent months. Kyiv says they were steered off course by Russian signal jamming.

This has stoked concerns that Russia's war in Ukraine is spilling over NATO's borders.

NATO Baltic Air Defence Mission

Fighters with the NATO Baltic Air Defence mission have patrolled the skies of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia since the Baltic countries joined the alliance in 2004. The mission's jets shot down stray Ukrainian drones over Estonia in May, and over Latvia in June and August.

Ukraine has stepped up long-range drone attacks on Russia, including in the Baltic Sea area.

(Reporting by Andrius Sytas in Vilnius, Tom Balmforth in London, Janis Laizans in Siauliai; Editing by Stephen Coates, Timothy Heritage, Ros Russell)