Lithuania formally asked NATO to increase its air defense capabilities to protect European countries. The request comes after a Russian drone carrying explosives entered the country’s airspace last week.
Kestutis Budrys, Lithuania’s acting foreign affairs minister, and Dovile Sakaliene, Lithuania’s defense minister, reportedly wrote to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte to notify him of the incident and request that the alliance increase its air defense capabilities in the region.
Budrys posted about the incident on social media on Tuesday and his country’s request to NATO, highlighting that it was the second such incident in less than a month.
“Last Monday, a Russian military drone violated Lithuanian airspace,” read Budrys’s post. “This marks the second such incident in less than a month. Similar airspace violations have also been reported recently by other Allies.”
Budrys categorized the presence of the Russian drone as a “spillover of Russia’s aggression” against Ukraine. He sought an “immediate measure to enhance” air defense systems in his country and speed up the “full implementation of the rotational air defense model.”
Officials reportedly believe the device was one of Russia’s Gerbera-type drones that are frequently used as “decoys to overwhelm or distract air defenses” in Russia’s war with Ukraine.
“Based on preliminary information, it appears to be a Gerbera drone, but the details are still being verified,” said the Lithuanian military.
According to reports, Russian drones entering the restricted airspace of NATO allies is a common occurrence since the war began. Multiple militarized drones were found in Baltic and Eastern European countries such as Latvia, Moldova, Poland, and Romania in recent months, the Moscow Times reported.
“This is not just Lithuanian airspace, not just Lithuania’s security,” said Budrys. “It is NATO airspace, NATO security, and also EU security.”
He stressed the importance of securing Europe’s airspace from Russian encroachments. He said doing so must be a vital priority for NATO.
“Air defense is vital to Allied security,” Budrys said in a post on X. “Securing NATO’s Eastern Flank must remain a top priority for the Alliance.”
ABBOTT UPS LEGAL, POLITICAL, AND PERSONAL PRESSURE ON TEXAS DEMOCRATS DEFYING REDISTRICTING
NATO reportedly announced it was monitoring the situation and evaluating the necessary steps to make an appropriate response.
“The Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), General Grynkewich, has the ability to decide measures he deems necessary,” NATO said. “Allies are also procuring and developing detection and counter-drone capabilities.”