Lithuanian president holds urgent talks over Belarus drone incursion

In response to a drone reportedly entering Lithuanian airspace from Belarus on July 28, the Lithuanian Presidential Office has announced urgent measures to enhance the country’s airspace security.

President Gitanas Nausėda convened an emergency meeting with heads of key institutions, emphasising the need for immediate, coordinated action, Caliber.Az reports, citing Delfi.

“As we successfully resolved border security issues recently, we can likewise address airspace protection effectively,” said Deividas Matulionis, the President’s chief adviser.

He underlined that three main agencies will be involved: the Lithuanian Armed Forces, the State Border Guard Service (VSAT), and the Public Security Service (VST), which is also responsible for safeguarding critical infrastructure from aerial threats.

The incident marks an intensification of drone-related provocations amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. “As the conflict continues, we expect an increase in deliberate provocations or accidental incursions by combat or simulated drones into Lithuanian territory,” Matulionis warned.

The meeting addressed three key areas: detection and identification of unmanned aerial vehicles, timely public communication about potential threats, and neutralisation of threats through electronic and kinetic means.

Matulionis also criticised the state’s communication regarding the incident as inadequate and confusing, calling for a single, centralised channel for public information in future to ensure clarity and maintain national credibility.

On July 28 morning, police reported the sighting of an unidentified drone at approximately 200 metres, last tracked near Vilnius. Defence Minister Dovilė Šakalienė stated the drone could have been a stray device unintentionally entering from Belarus en route to Ukraine, noting such incidents may recur.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs awaits confirmation on whether the drone was of military origin, which could prompt diplomatic responses.

A similar event occurred on 10 July, when a drone named “Gerbera” violated Lithuanian airspace from Belarus but was deemed not to pose a threat. The Lithuanian Armed Forces continue to investigate that incident.

By Aghakazim Guliyev