NATO scrambles fighters after unidentified object detected in Lithuania

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 18 Oct, 12:07 · Archive

NATO fighter jets were scrambled in Lithuania after an unidentified flying object was detected near the city of Kaunas, prompting authorities to close the airport and issue a red alert.

NATO fighter jets were scrambled in Lithuania on Sunday after an unidentified flying object was detected near Kaunas, Lithuania's second-largest city. The airport serving Kaunas was closed and a red air alert was issued. Residents in northern and central parts of Lithuania were instructed to take shelter for at least an hour.

Lithuanian authorities believe the object was a drone that entered from Poland. Armed forces in Poland said they are investigating a possible violation of airspace. After the object vanished from radar, possible drone debris was found near the northern village of Juodzionys and is being examined. Armed forces confirmed the unmanned object may not have been shot down and possibly detonated on its own.

'Lithuanian police officers are currently working at the scene, conducting initial investigation and evidence collection activities', a statement said. 'The circumstances of the incident, including the possible origin of the unmanned aerial vehicle and the possible cause of the explosion, are still under investigation.' Latvia's military issued a yellow air warning in some neighbouring regions citing a 'possible threat'. Metro reports that Ukrainian drones have previously entered NATO airspace in Baltic countries, with Kyiv attributing incursions to Russian signal jamming causing the objects to veer off course.

How it is being reported

• 'Red alert' as thousands in Lithuania told to take shelter after flying object detectedNATO fighter jets were scrambled after the 'unidentified flying object' was detected near Kaunas with officials closing the city's airportThe Mirror · 18 Oct, 11:47
• Nato fighter pilots summoned to ‘red warning’ over unrecognised flying object at airportThe airport was closed this morning.Metro · 18 Oct, 09:00

In this story: Lithuania · Kaunas · Poland · Juodzionys · Latvia · NATO

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem