Lithuania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has communicated with NATO, urging the alliance to bolster its air defenses after two military drones from Belarus entered its airspace within a month.
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis stated to the press, “Lithuania should not shoulder this responsibility by itself, as we defend NATO’s eastern flank.”
Lithuania, a member of both NATO and the European Union, shares borders with Russia and Belarus, a close ally of Moscow.
In a joint letter addressed to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, the Lithuanian ministers of foreign affairs and defense emphasized that the alliance must demonstrate readiness to protect every inch of its territory.
NATO commented via email, indicating that it is closely monitoring the situation. The most recent incident occurred on July 28, when a drone entered Lithuanian airspace.
Defense Minister Arvydas Anušauskas highlighted that Lithuania believes the drone was originally aimed at conducting an attack in Ukraine but veered off course due to Ukrainian defense systems.
The wreckage of the drone was found in a military training area, approximately 100 kilometers from the Belarusian border, and it was reported to be carrying two kilograms of explosives, according to the Chief of the General Staff of the Lithuanian Army, General Valdemaras Rupšys.
The defense minister noted that the drone was of the Gerbera type, a wooden variant of the Iranian-made Shahed drones widely utilized by Russian forces.
On July 10, another drone of the same type also crossed into Lithuanian airspace from Belarus, causing initial alarm before authorities determined it posed no threat.