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ARCHIVE - Flags of NATO member states wave in the wind in front of the NATO summit venue. Photo: Mindaugas Kulbis/AP/dpa
Keystone
A drone that crashed in Lithuania was carrying around two kilograms of explosives. This was announced by the General Prosecutor's Office in Vilnius. The unmanned flying object was deactivated by special forces of the Lithuanian army after it was found. It had presumably flown into the airspace of the Baltic EU and NATO member state from Belarus and was found after several days of searching at the Gaiziunai military training area near Jonava. It is said to be a so-called Gerbera drone, which outwardly resembles the Shahed combat drones used by Russia in its war of aggression against Ukraine.
The flying object had previously been spotted and reported by citizens near the capital Vilnius. According to the army, the most likely version is that it was a drone that was diverted by Ukrainian air defenses. However, according to the Prosecutor General's Office, the authorities are continuing to investigate in all directions.
Lithuania calls for more support from NATO
The government in Vilnius also called on NATO to provide more help with air defense. The increasing frequency of similar incidents poses a threat to the security of Lithuania and the entire alliance, wrote Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys and Defense Minister Dovile Sakaliene in a joint letter to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
Belarus is a close ally of Russia. Since the beginning of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, drones have repeatedly penetrated the airspace of the neighboring Baltic states. In response, Lithuania has stationed additional troops and air defense capacities on the border with Belarus.
05.08.2025, 19:06
