NATO fighter jet shoots down drone over Lithuania

An Italian NATO fighter jet shot down a drone over Lithuania shortly after midnight on Tuesday, according to Lithuania’s National Crisis Management Centre. Officials said the drone likely crossed in from Belarus and fell near Pratkunai village in the south, close to Kaunas, but its exact origin has not yet been confirmed. The incident adds to concern that drones linked to the war in Ukraine are increasingly entering NATO airspace in eastern Europe. Lithuanian authorities issued a drone alert for Vilnius and nearby areas, while the military released video showing debris at the crash site. NATO has been reinforcing air patrols over the Baltic states since 2004, and alliance officials have warned that repeated airspace violations are increasing tensions along NATO’s eastern border. The report also noted separate incidents involving Denmark and Russia, alongside continued attacks between Russia and Ukraine.