Lithuanian Minister: Russia May Use Ukrainian Drones in Baltic Plot

Robertas Kaunas false‑flag Ukrainian drones Baltic states NATO

Lithuanian Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas said intelligence indicates Russia is considering using captured or reconstructed Ukrainian drones to carry out false‑flag provocations against the Baltic states. The alleged operation would target critical energy and transport infrastructure and aim to make NATO waver and reduce its support for Ukraine. Kaunas stressed that no decision has been taken and there is no immediate threat of an attack.

Lithuania has already reinforced protection of key facilities, including the LNG terminal at Klaipėda and the LitPol Link electricity connection. Leaders of Poland and the three Baltic countries have warned that Russia may plan attacks or sabotage to shift focus from the war in Ukraine. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed the claims as "scare stories".

Ukrainian drones have recently strayed into the airspace of Finland and the Baltic states, an effect Kyiv attributes to Russian electronic‑warfare. Russia, in turn, accuses the Baltic states of allowing Ukraine to use their airspace for strikes on Russian targets, a charge the Baltic governments deny.

Entities: Baltic states · Dmitry Peskov · Gitanas Nausėda · NATO · Robertas Kaunas · Russia · Russian Government · Ukraine

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[● 7 SOURCES] The goal of the alleged operation would be to cause NATO to waver and reduce support for Ukraine. (Robertas Kaunas)
[● 10 SOURCES] Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said intelligence indicated Russia was planning attacks on critical infrastructure. (Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda)
[● 7 SOURCES] Russia accuses the Baltic states of allowing Ukraine to use their airspace for attacks on Russian targets. (Russian officials)
[● 13 SOURCES] Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called the allegations scare stories. (Dmitry Peskov)
[● 10 SOURCES] Lithuania has reinforced protection of critical infrastructure, including the LNG terminal at Klaipėda and the LitPol Link electricity connection. (Lithuanian authorities)
[● 10 SOURCES] Ukrainian drones have recently strayed into the airspace of Finland and the Baltic states, which Kyiv attributes to Russian electronic warfare. (Ukrainian officials)
[● 7 SOURCES] Poland and the Baltic states warned that Russia may plan attacks or sabotage to shift focus from the Ukraine war. (Polish and Baltic officials)
[● 10 SOURCES] Russia is considering using captured Ukrainian-made drones to conduct false‑flag provocations against the Baltic region. (Lithuanian Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas)
[● 2 SOURCES] No decision has been made to carry out a false‑flag operation and no specific date is set. (Lithuanian Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas)
[● 10 SOURCES] Russia has denied planning such false‑flag provocations. (Russian officials)
[● 7 SOURCES] Russia accuses Baltic states of allowing Ukraine to use their airspace for attacks on Russian targets. (Russian officials)
[● 7 SOURCES] Leaders of Poland and Baltic states warned Russia may plan attacks or sabotage to shift focus of the war and reduce support for Kyiv. (Polish and Baltic leaders)