Belarus demands explanation from Lithuania after airspace violation

Belarus has summoned Lithuania’s diplomatic representative and lodged a formal protest following an airspace breach involving a Ukrainian military drone, according to the Belarusian Foreign Ministry.

On May 17, a drone operated by the Armed Forces of Ukraine crossed into Belarus from the direction of Lithuania, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ruslan Varankov said. He stated that the UAV was detected near the village of Stanislavtsy in the Vitebsk region.

“These actions represent a direct threat to the security of the Republic of Belarus and constitute a gross violation of international law,” the ministry said.

Varankov added that the UAV, identified as a Ukrainian “Chaika” drone, was initially heading toward Russia but later changed its trajectory. He also claimed that the Lithuanian side did not notify Minsk about the approaching drone.

In response to the incident, Belarus said that Lithuania’s chargé d’affaires ad interim in Belarus, Erikas Vilkanecas, was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on May 21. Minsk demanded an investigation, detailed information, and measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

By Jeyhun Aghazada