NATO jets shoot down drone in Lithuanian airspace as Russia grows 'increasingly reckless,' Rutte says
Two Italian Eurofighter Typhoons operating under NATO command scrambled overnight and shot down a drone over Lithuania, marking the first time a drone has been downed in the Baltic nation's airspace, officials said Tuesday.The incident came less than a day after NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte warned that strikes close to alliance territory would drive the 32-nation bloc to increase its support for Ukraine.The drone was destroyed near the village of Pratkūnai, about 60 miles west of the capital, Vilnius.RUSSIA PREPARING HYBRID ATTACKS ON NATO'S EASTERN FLANK, INTELLIGENCE WARNSLithuanian soldiers are securing the area where Italian fighter jets during NATO's Baltic Air Policing Mission shot down a drone early morning near Pratkunai village, Kaisiadorys district roughly 60 miles northwest of the capital Vilnius, Lithuania, Tuesday, Sept.15, 2026.
"Last night, two Italian Eurofighters deployed on NATO Air Defence mission at Siauliai, scrambled and shot down a drone over Lithuanian airspace," a NATO official told Fox News Digital."The operation was coordinated through NATO’s Combined Air Operations Centre in Uedem, Germany.
Investigations are ongoing together with national authorities."Lithuanian officials said the drone most likely entered from neighboring Belarus and remained in the country's airspace for about 30 minutes before it was intercepted.Lithuanian soldiers are securing the area where Italian fighter jets during NATO's Baltic Air Policing Mission shot down a drone early this morning near Pratkunai village.(AP Photo)Lithuanian Air Force Commander Antanas Matutis said the recovered drone was "likely" carrying explosives.Authorities are examining the wreckage of the downed drone to determine its origin and purpose.The incident comes amid heightened tensions along NATO's eastern flank.RUSSIA EXPOSES NATO WEAPONS GAP AS TOP COMMANDER WARNS ‘THE MATH IS NOT IN FAVOR OF THE WEST’Speaking in Brussels on Monday, Rutte said strikes "close to NATO territor...