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Two Russian navy plane entered Lithuania’s airspace on Thursday for about 18 seconds, the nation’s navy mentioned on Thursday.
The 2 plane, recognized as an Su-30 fighter jet and an Il-78 refuelling tanker, had been thought to have been on a refuelling coaching mission after they crossed the border into NATO member Lithuania at round 1600 CET from the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad.
Spanish Eurofighter Hurricane jets from NATO’s Baltic Air Police had been scrambled and are patrolling the realm, the navy mentioned in a press release.
In a submit on X, Lithuania’s President Gitanas Nausėda slammed what he referred to as a “blatant breach of worldwide regulation and territorial integrity.”
“I strongly condemn the violation of Lithuanian airspace just lately by the fighter jet and transport aircraft of Russian Federation from Kaliningrad area,” Nausėda mentioned in a video.
“We have now to react to this.”
There was no quick remark from Moscow.
Each NATO and the European Union have been on excessive alert following a string of airspace violations, considered from Russia, in current weeks.
NATO issued a warning to Moscow on the finish of September, saying it could use all means to defend in opposition to any additional breaches of its airspace after the downing of Russian drones over Poland and Estonia’s report of an intrusion by Russian fighter jets.
The ten September incident in Poland was the primary direct encounter between NATO and Russia since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine started in early 2022.
Estonia mentioned three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets entered its airspace for 12 minutes on Friday with out authorisation, a cost that the Kremlin has rejected.
The incidents prompted widespread consternation amongst leaders throughout Europe, elevating questions concerning the alliance’s preparedness in opposition to rising Russian aggression.
“Russia needs to be in little question: NATO and Allies will make use of, in accordance with worldwide regulation, all obligatory navy and non-military instruments to defend ourselves and deter all threats from all instructions,” the alliance mentioned in a press release.
Following the violation of Polish airspace, NATO Secretary Common Mark Rutte introduced the formation of the Jap Sentry programme, which goals to discourage additional Russian incursions and present solidarity with Poland.
“We see drones violating our airspace. Whether or not it was intentional or not, it’s unacceptable. The allies have expressed full solidarity with Poland. It’s essential to counter aggression and defend each member of the Alliance,” the NATO chief mentioned.
Incidents in Denmark and Norway
In the meantime on 23 September, Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen mentioned Russian involvement couldn’t be dominated out after Copenhagen airport was compelled to shut for a number of hours the earlier night time following the sighting of various drones.
“It says one thing concerning the instances we dwell in and what we as a society have to be ready to take care of,” Frederiksen mentioned.
The Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov referred to as the allegations “unfounded.”
Additionally on 22 September, Oslo airport in Norway was closed for 3 hours after doable drone sightings had been reported.
Russia allegedly violated Norway’s airspace thrice in 2025, in keeping with the federal government, nevertheless it stays unclear whether or not Monday’s incident was deliberate or the results of navigation errors.
“Whatever the trigger, this isn’t acceptable,” Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre mentioned.
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