Lithuania’s senior government officials were rushed to secure bunkers on Tuesday after an air raid warning triggered by unidentified drones prompted an emergency response across Vilnius. The alert, which lasted for approximately 45 minutes, disrupted a cabinet meeting led by Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė and forced President Gitanas Nausėda to suspend his schedule. No casualties or damage were reported, but the incident has raised concerns about the Baltic state’s vulnerability to aerial incursions.
According to a statement from the National Crisis Management Centre, the alert was activated following reports of multiple drones flying in restricted airspace near the capital. Lithuanian air defence forces scrambled jets, and a ground-based electronic warfare system was deployed to neutralise the threat. The drones, whose origin and purpose remain unknown, reportedly crossed into Lithuanian airspace from Belarus, a close ally of Russia. Vilnius has frequently accused Minsk and Moscow of hybrid warfare tactics, including the use of drones to test air defence responses.
The evacuation of Lithuania’s leadership underscores the heightened security environment in the Baltic region, which has been on edge since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Lithuania, a Nato member, has been a vocal supporter of Kyiv and has hosted allied troops on its soil. The incident comes just days after a similar drone incursion was reported in neighbouring Latvia, prompting calls for a unified Baltic response.
Initial assessments by Lithuanian intelligence suggest the drones may have been part of a coordinated probing operation, likely intended to map response times and reveal vulnerabilities. “This is a pattern we have observed before,” said a defence analyst who spoke on condition of anonymity. “The aim is to gauge our readiness and create a climate of uncertainty.” The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, issued a statement expressing solidarity with Lithuania and calling for an investigation.
The Lithuanian military has increased patrols along the eastern border and imposed temporary restrictions on civilian drone flights. Meanwhile, the government has urged citizens to remain calm but vigilant. Prime Minister Šimonytė, addressing the nation after the alert was lifted, described the event as a serious breach of national security. “We will not tolerate any violation of our sovereignty,” she said. “Our response will be firm and coordinated with our allies.”
The incident has reignited debate in Vilnius about the need for more robust air defence systems, including additional medium-range anti-aircraft batteries. Lithuania currently relies on a rotating contingent of Nato fighters for air policing, but officials have long argued for permanent integrated defences. The United States, which has stationed troops in the country, reaffirmed its commitment to Lithuania’s security in a statement from the Pentagon.
As the investigation continues, Lithuanian authorities are working to identify the drone operators. The government has not ruled out the possibility that the incursion was orchestrated by Russian or Belarusian state actors. The Baltic state’s foreign minister, Gabrielius Landsbergis, is expected to brief Nato counterparts on the incident at an emergency meeting scheduled for later this week.
