EU chief warns of wider battle as border incursions stoke fears that Ukraine battle is spilling into neighbouring states.
Revealed On 15 Sep 2026
An Italian fighter jet flying for NATO has introduced down what officers mentioned was a suspected Russian drone in Lithuanian airspace.
In accordance with Lithuania’s nationwide disaster administration centre, the drone entered the nation’s airspace on Tuesday from Belarus and was shot down close to the small settlement of Pratkunai in central Lithuania, simply north of the nation’s second-largest metropolis, Kaunas.
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Lithuania’s Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas mentioned on social media the drone was carrying an explosive.
Particles from the gadget was being examined to find out if it was from Russia or one other nation.
The intervention by the Italian fighter jet demonstrated “the worth of the Atlantic alliance” and “what it means to be an ally”, Kaunas mentioned after assembly crews who have been on the scene.
European Fee President Ursula von der Leyen known as the incident a part of a sample of “aggression and provocation” towards Europe. German International Minister Johann Wadephul laid the blame on Russia, saying that NATO members wouldn’t be intimidated.
Russian officers didn’t instantly touch upon the incident.
Wider battle
The drone was intercepted over Lithuania after Russia fired flares at a Danish navy helicopter monitoring a Russian warship within the Baltic Sea on Monday.
In a publish on X on Tuesday, Poland’s Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz mentioned, that “latest days present that Russia’s actions threaten the safety of all the Europe”.
The escalations adopted a collection of Russian drone strikes on Sunday, prompting NATO Secretary Basic Mark Rutte to pledge extra assist for Ukraine. Russian drones hit a prepare close to the Polish border, minutes after a delegation of present and former officers from the UK, america and Europe handed by means of the station.
At a press convention, Kaunas warned that the Russia-Ukraine battle has unfold and that incidents would proceed until there was a negotiated settlement, however maintained that “Putin doesn’t need” a peaceable settlement.
