started · updated
NATO fighter jets shoot down drone over Lithuania
NATO fighter jets, specifically Italian aircraft operating under the Baltic Air Policing mission, shot down an unidentified drone that entered Lithuanian airspace in the early hours of Tuesday, September 15, 2026. The interception occurred near the village of Pratkūnai in the Kaišiadorys district, close to the Kaunas Reservoir.
Lithuanian authorities and the National Crisis Management Centre (NKVC) reported that the drone likely entered the country from Belarus and flew over Lithuanian territory for approximately 30 minutes. While the exact origin and purpose of the aircraft remain under investigation, Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto stated that the drone “most probably” came from Russia. Lithuanian officials noted that the drone likely carried an explosive charge, which was later confirmed by Defense Minister Robertas Kaunas after explosive remnants were discovered and neutralized by specialists.
This incident marks the first time a drone has been shot down within Lithuanian airspace. The event triggered air threat alerts for the Vilnius and Kaunas counties. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda and Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys emphasized that the rapid NATO response demonstrates the alliance's vigilance and readiness on its eastern flank amid ongoing Russian aggression in Ukraine.
Entities
Belarus · Gitanas Nausėda · Guido Crosetto · Italy · Lithuania · NATO · Robertas Kaunas
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 9 SOURCES] The drone was shot down near the village of Pratkūnai. dailydigest.ie · denik.to · www.europesays.com · www.entornointeligente.com · news.az · +4 more
- [● 14 SOURCES] This was the first time a drone was shot down in Lithuanian airspace. denik.to · www.baltictimes.com · nos.nl · axadletimes.com · dailydigest.ie · +9 more
- [● 4 SOURCES] The drone flew over Lithuanian territory for approximately 30 minutes. www.europesays.com · news.az · nos.nl · denik.to
- [● 8 SOURCES] The drone likely carried explosives. www.europesays.com · nos.nl · denik.to · www.regionunaujienos.lt · nuevolaredo.tv · +3 more
- [● 6 SOURCES] Air threat alerts were issued for Vilnius and Kaunas counties. www.baltictimes.com · news.az · axadletimes.com · www.regionunaujienos.lt · www.europesays.com · +1 more
- [● 9 SOURCES] The drone likely originated from Belarus. dailydigest.ie · denik.to · www.europesays.com · www.baltictimes.com · www.entornointeligente.com · +4 more
- [● 12 SOURCES] Italian NATO fighter jets intercepted and destroyed the drone. denik.to · www.europesays.com · www.baltictimes.com · www.entornointeligente.com · news.az · +7 more
- [● 8 SOURCES] The drone's exact origin and purpose remain unconfirmed. dailydigest.ie · denik.to · news.az · axadletimes.com · www.europesays.com · +3 more