NATO scrambles fighter jet over possible drone sighting in Lithuania

Lithuania closed Vilnius Airport on September 3 after a possible drone was spotted in Lithuanian airspace, prompting NATO to scramble at least one fighter jet, the country’s National Crisis Management Centre said.

The air alert was lifted and the airport reopened about an hour later, Caliber.Az reports, citing Reuters.

The fighter jet was scrambled from Siauliai in northern Lithuania, where the Italian Air Force is currently stationed as part of NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission.

Countries along NATO’s eastern flank have reported a series of drones entering their airspace in connection with the conflict stemming from Russia’s 2022 full-scale military operation in Ukraine.

The Vilnius Marathon, which was taking place in the capital at the time, continued without interruption, organizers told Reuters.

By Jeyhun Aghazada