Two Russian military aircraft entered Lithuania’s airspace for 18 seconds on Thursday, the Lithuanian military confirmed. Officials identified the planes as an Su-30 fighter jet and an Il-78 refueling tanker. The aircraft reportedly crossed from Russia’s Kaliningrad region around 1600 CET during a refueling exercise.
Spanish Eurofighter Typhoon jets from NATO’s Baltic Air Police immediately scrambled and began patrolling the area. Lithuania’s President Gitanas Nausėda condemned the act on X, calling it a “blatant breach of international law and territorial integrity.” In a video statement, he said, “I strongly condemn this violation by Russian aircraft from the Kaliningrad region. We must respond to this.”
Moscow has not issued a statement regarding the incident.
NATO Warns Moscow Over Repeated Intrusions
NATO and the European Union remain on high alert after several airspace violations allegedly involving Russian aircraft in recent weeks. NATO warned Moscow in late September that it would defend its members using every means available under international law.
The warning followed multiple incidents, including Russian drones shot down over Poland and Estonia’s report of unauthorized Russian jets. The 10 September drone incident over Poland marked the first direct encounter between NATO and Russia since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Estonia later reported that three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets entered its airspace for 12 minutes without permission, a claim the Kremlin denied. European leaders expressed concern, questioning NATO’s readiness to counter increasing Russian provocations.
Europe Reacts to Growing Airspace Threats
NATO’s Secretary General Mark Rutte announced the Eastern Sentry programme to deter further Russian incursions and support Poland after its airspace breach. “Drones entering our skies—intentional or not—are unacceptable,” Rutte said. “Allies stand fully with Poland. We must confront aggression and defend every NATO member.”
Elsewhere, Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said Russian involvement “cannot be ruled out” after drone sightings forced Copenhagen airport to close for hours on 23 September. She warned that such incidents reflect the challenging times Europe faces. The Kremlin dismissed the claims as “unfounded.”
In Norway, officials temporarily closed Oslo airport on 22 September after reports of possible drones. Norwegian authorities said Russia violated their airspace three times in 2025, though they remain uncertain whether Monday’s event was deliberate or accidental. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre stated, “Regardless of intent, this is unacceptable.”
