Lithuanian officials have urged NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte to take immediate action to bolster Lithuania’s air defense capabilities after multiple Russian drones entered the country’s airspace, the country’s Minister of Foreign Affairs said in a post on X on August 5.
Lithuania’s Foreign Minister, Kęstutis Budrys, and Defense Minister, Dainius Šakalėnė, jointly addressed Rutte with a letter urging NATO to enhance Lithuania’s air defense in response to the ongoing threat posed by Russian drones.
“Air defence is vital to Allied security. Securing NATO’s Eastern Flank must remain a top priority for the Alliance,” said Budrys on social media platform X.
Last Monday, a Russian military drone violated Lithuanian airspace. This marks the second such incident in less than a month. Similar airspace violations have also been reported recently by other Allies.
These repeated incidents represent an alarming sign of the spillover of…
— Kęstutis Budrys (@BudrysKestutis) August 5, 2025
The Lithuanian government also called for the accelerated implementation of NATO’s rotational air defense model, which involves the regular deployment of combat aircraft and ground-based air and missile defense systems across various member states, particularly along the eastern flank of the alliance.
“We cannot compromise the security of our country and citizens, nor the integrity of NATO airspace. We must remain vigilant, as the threat is real and growing,” emphasized the Lithuanian Foreign Minister.
This call to action follows two significant incidents involving Russian drones that entered Lithuanian airspace last month. On July 10, a Russian drone resembling “Gerbera” breached Lithuania’s airspace.
On July 28, another drone, initially unidentified, also entered the country. Five days later, on August 1, its wreckage was found at the Lithuanian military polygon in Gaižūnai, and it was identified as “Gerbera” drone.
Lithuanian prosecutors later confirmed that the drone found on August 1 carried two kilograms of explosives. According to the investigation, the drone was likely intended to attack Ukraine but was diverted by Ukrainian air defense, ending up in Lithuania instead, DW claims.
“These repeated incidents represent an alarming sign of the spillover of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine onto NATO territory,” Budrys stressed.
Previously, it was reported that Lithuania had supported Ukraine with a new shipment of drones and gear. The aid included thousands of drones produced by Lithuanian manufacturers, along with thermal cameras and five-ton telescopic handlers.
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