Lithuania requests NATO bolster air defenses after Russian drone enters airspace – Washington Examiner
Lithuania has formally requested NATO to strengthen air defense measures in Europe following an incident where a Russian military drone carrying explosives entered Lithuanian airspace. This event marks teh second such breach in less than a month. Lithuanian officials, including the acting foreign affairs minister Kestutis Budrys and defense minister Dovile Sakaliene, have urged NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte to enhance regional air defenses and accelerate the implementation of a rotational air defense system. The drone is believed to be a Russian Gerbera-type device commonly used as a decoy in the conflict with Ukraine. Similar drone intrusions have been reported in other NATO countries such as Latvia,Moldova,Poland,and Romania. Lithuania emphasizes that protecting its airspace is critical not only for national security but also for the security of NATO and the European union. NATO has stated it is monitoring the situation and assessing necessary responses, with the Supreme Allied Commander Europe empowered to take appropriate measures, including improving drone detection and countermeasures.
Lithuania requests NATO bolster air defenses after Russian drone enters airspace
Lithuania formally asked NATO to increase its air defense capabilities to protect European countries. The request comes after a Russian drone carrying explosives entered the country’s airspace last week.
Kestutis Budrys, Lithuania’s acting foreign affairs minister, and Dovile Sakaliene, Lithuania’s defense minister, reportedly wrote to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte to notify him of the incident and request that the alliance increase its air defense capabilities in the region.
Budrys posted about the incident on social media on Tuesday and his country’s request to NATO, highlighting that it was the second such incident in less than a month.
“Last Monday, a Russian military drone violated Lithuanian airspace,” read Budrys’s post. “This marks the second such incident in less than a month. Similar airspace violations have also been reported recently by other Allies.”
Budrys categorized the presence of the Russian drone as a “spillover of Russia’s aggression” against Ukraine. He sought an “immediate measure to enhance” air defense systems in his country and speed up the “full implementation of the rotational air defense model.”
Officials reportedly believe the device was one of Russia’s Gerbera-type drones that are frequently used as “decoys to overwhelm or distract air defenses” in Russia’s war with Ukraine.
“Based on preliminary information, it appears to be a Gerbera drone, but the details are still being verified,” said the Lithuanian military.
According to reports, Russian drones entering the restricted airspace of NATO allies is a common occurrence since the war began. Multiple militarized drones were found in Baltic and Eastern European countries such as Latvia, Moldova, Poland, and Romania in recent months, the Moscow Times reported.
“This is not just Lithuanian airspace, not just Lithuania’s security,” said Budrys. “It is NATO airspace, NATO security, and also EU security.”
He stressed the importance of securing Europe’s airspace from Russian encroachments. He said doing so must be a vital priority for NATO.
“Air defense is vital to Allied security,” Budrys said in a post on X. “Securing NATO’s Eastern Flank must remain a top priority for the Alliance.”
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NATO reportedly announced it was monitoring the situation and evaluating the necessary steps to make an appropriate response.
“The Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), General Grynkewich, has the ability to decide measures he deems necessary,” NATO said. “Allies are also procuring and developing detection and counter-drone capabilities.”
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