Nato jets down drone over Lithuania amid rising tensions with Russia

NATO said two Italian Eurofighter Typhoons operating under alliance command shot down a drone over Lithuanian airspace overnight, in what officials described as the first such interception over the Baltic country. The drone was destroyed near Pratkūnai, northwest of Vilnius, after entering from the direction of Belarus and remaining in the air for about 30 minutes. Lithuanian authorities are investigating the wreckage to determine the drone’s origin and purpose. An air force commander said it was likely carrying explosives, though that has not been confirmed. The incident came as NATO SecretaryGeneral Mark Rutte warned that Russian actions near alliance territory were increasing pressure on the bloc to reinforce defenses along its eastern flank. The report also follows separate claims from Denmark that a Russian frigate fired flares toward a Danish military helicopter over the Baltic Sea, while Russia continued drone strikes in Ukraine.