18.10.2026 15:21
After an unidentified object entered Lithuanian airspace, NATO fighter aircraft at Siauliai Air Base scrambled. It was stated that the object, which fell in the north of the country and was understood to be a UAV, may have damaged a moving civilian vehicle. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda argued that "Russia's aggressive war against Ukraine has also spilled over to the eastern flank of NATO and the European Union." People in the central and northern parts of the country were called on to go to shelters.
An unidentified object violating Lithuania’s airspace caused alarm. While the wreckage of the UAV that crashed in the country’s north was found, the area was cordoned off.
The public in the central and northern parts of the country was called on to go to shelters.
NAUSEDA: THE WAR HAS SPILLED OVER TO THE EASTERN FLANK
In a statement made on the social media platform of the US-based company X, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda argued that “Russia’s aggressive war against Ukraine has also spilled over to NATO and the European Union’s eastern flank.” Nauseda, who stated that NATO fighter jets stationed at Siauliai Air Base were scrambled after an unidentified object entered the airspace this morning, said that an object understood to be a UAV crashed in the north of the country and posed a danger to civilians. Nauseda noted that experts’ work at the scene is ongoing.
“IT ENTERED VIA POLAND”
According to a report by Lithuanian National Radio and Television (LRT), Lithuanian Defense Minister Robertas Kaunas also made a statement to journalists on the matter. Kaunas stated that, according to initial assessments, the object entered Lithuanian airspace via Poland. Saying that he spoke with his Polish counterpart, Kaunas said that he asked Poland to join the process for a joint investigation of the incident.
IT MAY HAVE DAMAGED A CIVILIAN VEHICLE
Stating that the crashed UAV may have damaged a moving civilian vehicle, Kaunas announced that the UAV’s wreckage had been found. Noting that the area was cordoned off, Kaunas said that police are working to gather information.
IT IS ASSESSED TO BE A UKRAINIAN UAV
Lithuanian officials assess that the object was most likely a Ukrainian UAV and that it may have entered Lithuania during Kyiv’s attacks on Russia’s St. Petersburg region.