Vilnius:NATO fighter jets were scrambled twice overnight following suspected drone incursions that set off air alerts across extensive areas of Lithuania. Officials confirmed that at least one drone entered Lithuania's airspace before proceeding into Latvia.

According to Anadolu Agency – English, the first alert was issued around 11 pm Tuesday in the Vilnius and Utena regions, classified as yellow, and was lifted shortly after midnight. A subsequent alert, initially in the Alytus region, was later expanded to cover parts of central and northern Lithuania and was upgraded to red, prompting residents to seek shelter.

Vilmantas Vitkauskas, head of Lithuania's National Crisis Management Centre, reported that three drones were initially detected in Belarus. During the first incident, none of the drones entered Lithuanian airspace, though one later crossed into Latvia. However, during the second incident, a drone reportedly entered Lithuania near the southern town of Druskininkai, traveled north across several regions, and exited the airspace near Pasvalys.

NATO fighter jets identified the drone but did not engage it, possibly due to adverse weather or safety concerns. The incidents also led to temporary closures of Vilnius and Kaunas airports, disrupting air traffic and affecting more than 400 passengers on three flights at Vilnius Airport.

In response to the drone activity, Latvia's National Armed Forces issued an airspace threat warning for several municipalities early Wednesday, deploying drone interceptors, air defense units, and NATO air policing jets. The total number of drones involved and whether any were shot down or crashed remained unclear.