Two Russian military aircraft entered Lithuania’s airspace on Thursday for about 18 seconds, according to the country’s military. Officials identified the planes as an Su-30 fighter jet and an Il-78 refueling tanker, likely on a training mission from Kaliningrad. The aircraft crossed into NATO member Lithuania around 1600 CET.
Spanish Eurofighter Typhoon jets from NATO’s Baltic Air Police scrambled immediately and began patrolling the area. In a post on X, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda condemned the incident, calling it a “blatant breach of international law and territorial integrity.” He said Lithuania must respond firmly to the violation. Moscow has not commented on the event.
NATO Raises Alert Over Russian Intrusions
NATO and the European Union remain on high alert after several recent airspace violations linked to Russia. At the end of September, NATO warned Moscow that it would use every available measure to prevent further breaches after Russian drones were shot down over Poland and fighter jets reportedly entered Estonian airspace.
Poland’s 10 September incident marked the first direct confrontation between NATO and Russia since the invasion of Ukraine in early 2022. Estonia reported that three Russian MiG-31 jets flew through its airspace for 12 minutes without permission, a claim the Kremlin denied. European leaders expressed deep concern and questioned the alliance’s readiness to counter growing Russian aggression.
Europe Strengthens Defenses Amid Drone Sightings
After Russian drones entered Polish airspace, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte launched the Eastern Sentry programme to deter future incursions and reinforce solidarity with Poland. Rutte said any airspace violation, intentional or not, remains unacceptable and urged allies to defend every member nation.
Drone sightings also disrupted airports in Denmark and Norway. On 23 September, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said Russian involvement could not be excluded after Copenhagen airport shut down for several hours. The Kremlin dismissed the claims as “unfounded.” The next day, Norway’s Oslo airport closed for three hours after similar reports.
Norwegian officials said Russia violated their airspace three times in 2025, though it remains unclear if the latest incident was deliberate. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre condemned the actions, stating that such behavior is unacceptable regardless of intent.
