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NATO jets shoot down a drone in Lithuanian airspace

NATO fighter jets shot down a Russian Gerbera drone carrying explosives after it entered Lithuanian airspace on the night of September 15. Lithuanian Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas confirmed specialist forces defused the explosive device. President Gitanas Nausėda stated the drone was likely knocked off course by Ukrainian electronic warfare. Lithuania has since briefed EU allies on the incident, which occurred as NATO leadership warned that Russian strikes would increase support for Ukraine. The event coincides with reports of a Russian frigate firing flares at a Danish helicopter.

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  • ✓ NATO fighter jets shot down a drone in Lithuanian airspace overnight on September 15.
  • ✓ The drone was carrying an explosive device that was later defused by specialist forces.
  • ✓ Lithuania has briefed European Union allies regarding the incident.
  • ✓ A Russian frigate fired flares at a Danish military helicopter on Tuesday.
🛡️ Source Corroboration: 15 independent reporting domains (90% confidence) ⏱ Read time: ~2 min

What changed

Lithuanian officials identified the aircraft as a Russian Gerbera drone and confirmed it carried explosives.

Live updates

  1. NATO fighter jets shoot down explosive-laden drone over Lithuania

    NATO fighter jets shot down a Russian Gerbera drone carrying explosives after it entered Lithuanian airspace on the night of September 15. Lithuanian Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas confirmed specialist forces defused the explosive device. President Gitanas Nausėda stated the drone was likely knocked off course by Ukrainian electronic warfare. Lithuania has since briefed EU allies on the incident, which occurred as NATO leadership warned that Russian strikes would increase support for Ukraine. The event coincides with reports of a Russian frigate firing flares at a Danish helicopter.

    Why it matters

    This incursion is part of a series of sabotage attacks and airspace violations on NATO's eastern flank. It occurs amid the ongoing war in Ukraine and rising tensions between the alliance and Russia. NATO Secretary General Rutte described Russia as becoming increasingly reckless.

    What is confirmed

    • NATO fighter jets shot down a drone in Lithuanian airspace overnight on September 15.
    • The drone was carrying an explosive device that was later defused by specialist forces.
    • Lithuania has briefed European Union allies regarding the incident.
    • A Russian frigate fired flares at a Danish military helicopter on Tuesday.

    Still unconfirmed

    • Ukrainian electronic warfare knocked the Russian attack drone off course and into Lithuania.
    • The drone was a Russian Gerbera model.

    What to watch next

    • Official NATO statement on the drone's origin and launch point
    • EU response following the Lithuanian briefing
    • Further reports on the Russian frigate encounter with the Danish helicopter
    Sources used for this update (15)
    1. Reuters — NATO fighter shoots down drone in Lithuania
    2. NPR — NATO jets down drone in Lithuanian airspace
    3. The Guardian — Lithuania briefs EU allies after drone shot down by Nato jets overnight – Europe live
    4. www.france24.com — Ukraine war live: NATO downs drone over Lithuania, Russian frigate fires flares at Danish helicopter
    5. ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos — NATO jets down drone in Lithuanian airspace after bloc warns strikes will drive support for Ukraine
    6. The Telegraph — Nato jets shoot down drone over Baltics
    7. France 24 — Ukraine war live: NATO downs drone over Lithuania, Russian frigate fires flares at Danish helicopter
    8. The Boston Globe — NATO jets down drone over Lithuania after alliance warns strikes will drive support for Ukraine
    9. Fox News — NATO jets shoot down drone in Lithuanian airspace as Russia grows 'increasingly reckless,' Rutte says
    10. Al Jazeera — NATO jet shoots down suspected Russian drone over Lithuania
    11. www.yahoo.com — Lithuania says drone shot down by NATO fighter jets carried explosives
    12. www.france24.com — NATO jets down drone over Lithuania as Russian ship fires flares at Danish helicopter
    confidence 90%
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