{"id":204149,"date":"2026-09-17T01:10:53","date_gmt":"2026-09-16T22:10:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/204149\/"},"modified":"2026-09-17T01:10:55","modified_gmt":"2026-09-16T22:10:55","slug":"lithuania-expresses-strong-protest-to-minsk-over-combat-drone-incursion","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/204149\/","title":{"rendered":"Lithuania expresses \u201cstrong protest\u201d to Minsk over combat drone incursion"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n (Delfi)<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

September 17, Pozirk.<\/em> <\/strong>The Lithuanian foreign ministry handed the Belarusian embassy\u2019s representative a verbal note expressing \u201cstrong protest\u201d in connection with the invasion of Lithuania\u2019s airspace by a combat drone from Belarus early on Tuesday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The foreign ministry describes the incident as a gross violation of international law and \u201curges Belarus to immediately provide a comprehensive explanation and prevent any similar violations in the future.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vilnius also demands that Minsk should ensure \u201ceffective control over its territory and airspace\u201d and prevent actions that \u201cmay pose a threat to the security of neighboring states.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vilnius stresses that Lithuania \u201creserves the right, together with its allies, to take all necessary measures to safeguard national security, territorial integrity and the safety of its population.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the early hours on September 15, the Lithuanian military detected a flying object entering Lithuania\u2019s airspace. Residents of Vilnius and several regions received a potential air raid alert. Italian NATO fighter jets were scrambled from the \u0160iauliai air base to intercept it. The drone\u2019s wreckage was later found in the Kai\u0161iadorys district.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Deividas Matulionis, a senior aide to Lithuanian President Gitanas Naus\u0117da, said that Minsk had not warned Vilnius about the drone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lithuanian Defense Minister Robertas Kaunas later said that the drone shot down over central Lithuania had been carrying explosives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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