Lithuania Issues Drone Alert After Airspace Violation

Lithuanian officials issued an air danger warning on Tuesday directing residents to take shelter after a drone violated the country's airspace near the Belarus border. The alert prompted the suspension of flights at Vilnius airport and a temporary halt to road and rail travel in the capital. President and prime minister were taken to emergency shelters along with members of parliament.

Lithuania's defence ministry instructed people to immediately take shelter in a safe place and await further recommendations. The national crisis management centre said the alert was issued after a drone in neighbouring Belarus was observed flying toward Lithuania.

Military officials later stated that NATO jets were deployed to intercept the drone but could not locate it. The alert has since been lifted.

The incident follows a similar event the previous day in Estonia, where officials said a NATO jet shot down a suspected Ukrainian drone. No damage was reported in either case. It is the latest in a series of recent drone incursions reported over NATO members Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

Officials in the three countries have denied claims that they allowed Ukraine to use their airspace to strike targets inside Russia. " — Defence ministry alert, Tuesday (BBC News) Ukraine has intensified drone and missile attacks against targets in Russia in recent weeks, including oil and gas facilities near the Baltic states.

Officials said the drone's origin has not been confirmed.