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NATO jets scramble as drone explodes in Lithuanian airspace
The Kyiv Independent • • world
Key Points:
- An unidentified object, likely a drone, entered Lithuanian airspace on October 18, exploded near the village of Juodzionys, damaged a civilian vehicle, and caused residents to seek shelter; no casualties were reported.
- NATO fighter jets were scrambled but could not identify or intercept the object due to cloudy weather, with Lithuanian officials investigating drone debris at the site.
- Lithuanian officials and NATO express concern over these incursions as spillover effects of Russia's war in Ukraine, with similar drone incidents recently reported in Romania and an attempted arson attack linked to Russian actors in Lithuania.
- Ukrainian Foreign Ministry suggested Russian electronic warfare may have diverted Ukrainian drones off course, apologizing for the disruption and thanking Lithuania for its support against Russian aggression.
- Lithuanian Defense Minister claimed the drone entered from Poland, but Polish authorities denied radar confirmation of the incursion; investigations continue amid heightened regional security tensions.
