NATO jets down drone in Lithuanian airspace

Key Points:

• NATO fighter jets shot down a drone that entered Lithuanian airspace near Pratkūnai village, marking the first such incident in Lithuania; the drone likely carried explosives and is believed to have entered from Belarus.
• The incident occurred shortly after NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte condemned Russian strikes near alliance territory and pledged to strengthen NATO's eastern defenses amid escalating tensions.
• Russian drone strikes continued across Ukraine despite a social media claim by former U.S. President Donald Trump of an agreement between Russia and Ukraine not to target energy infrastructure, with Ukraine reporting multiple casualties from attacks in Kyiv.
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed readiness to support de-escalation if Russia genuinely commits to ending the war, while Russian forces claimed to have shot down 222 Ukrainian drones overnight.
• A large Ukrainian drone attack caused significant damage and fires in the Russian city of Taganrog, affecting residential buildings, an educational institution, warehouses, and a commercial site.