Incursion follows collection of drone incidents and airspace violations which have prompted fears that Russia is testing NATO.
Printed On 24 Oct 2025
Two Russian navy plane have briefly entered Lithuania’s airspace in what seemed to be a brand new provocation from Moscow as European Union leaders mentioned learn how to strengthen their defences amid deepening considerations the war in Ukraine might spill over into their nations.
Lithuania’s armed forces stated in a press release that the 2 plane – an Su-30 fighter and an Il-78 refuelling tanker – could have been conducting refuelling workout routines within the neighbouring Russian exclave of Kaliningrad after they flew 700 metres (0.43 miles) into the nation at 6pm native time (15:00 GMT) on Thursday.
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“This can be a blatant breach of worldwide regulation and territorial integrity of Lithuania,” stated President Gitanas Nauseda on X, including that his nation would summon Russian embassy representatives to protest towards reckless and harmful behaviour.
Two Spanish Eurofighter Hurricane jets from the NATO Baltic Air Police had been scrambled in response and had been patrolling the realm, the Lithuanian navy stated.
Russia’s Defence Ministry denied the incursion had taken place, saying the flights had been carried out “in strict compliance” with guidelines and “didn’t deviate from their route and didn’t violate the borders of different states”.
The incident occurred after Nauseda and his fellow EU leaders attended a Brussels summit on Thursday, endorsing a plan dubbed Readiness 2030 to make sure that Europe can defend itself towards an out of doors assault by the top of the last decade.
It follows a collection of mysterious drone incidents and airspace violations by Russian warplanes in current weeks which have heightened anxiousness that Russian President Vladimir Putin may be testing NATO’s defensive reflexes.
Three Russian navy jets violated Estonia’s airspace for 12 minutes on September 19 in what was described by Tallinn as an “unprecedented and brazen intrusion”.
9 days earlier than, NATO jets had shot down 20 Russian drones that entered Polish airspace, marking the primary time an alliance member had engaged instantly with Russia for the reason that begin of the Ukraine battle.
Fellow Baltic state leaders Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal and Latvian Overseas Minister Baiba Braze each expressed full solidarity with Lithuania.
Polish Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz stated the incident confirmed that “Russia is by no means calming down or retreating” and that continued vigilance is required.
Thursday’s EU summit additionally noticed the bloc greenlight a significant bundle of sanctions towards Russia for its battle on Ukraine.
It stopped wanting endorsing the usage of Russian frozen assets to offer Kyiv a big mortgage. Russia had threatened a “painful response” if its belongings had been seized.
