NATO jets shoot down drone in Lithuanian airspace

Two Italian Eurofighter Typhoons operating under NATO command scrambled overnight and shot down a drone over Lithuanian airspace, marking the first time such an interception has occurred in the Baltic nation. Lithuanian officials stated the drone remained in their airspace for approximately 30 minutes before being intercepted near the village of Pratkūnai. Lithuanian Air Force Commander Antanas Matutis reported that the recovered drone was likely carrying explosives, and authorities are currently investigating its origin and purpose. The operation was coordinated through NATO’s Combined Air Operations Centre in Germany. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte recently warned that Russia is becoming increasingly reckless, pledging to strengthen the alliance's defenses along its eastern flank in response to strikes near NATO territory. In a separate incident, Denmark reported that a Russian frigate fired flares at a Danish military helicopter conducting surveillance over the Baltic Sea, leading to the summoning of the Russian ambassador.