2025.07.29
Commander-in-Chief of the Lithuanian Armed Forces Raimundas Vaikšnoras said that he would like to shoot down disoriented drones in Belarusian airspace, but, unfortunately, he does not have the authority to do so. Therefore, Lithuania will strengthen its capabilities to detect and identify drones in order to quickly determine whether they pose a threat. The country also plans to expand its capabilities to neutralize drones using electronic or kinetic means.
After information emerged on Monday that a drone may have entered Lithuanian airspace from Belarus, it was spotted and discussed on social media by local residents. However, the alert was sent to the population only a few hours after the first reports. The object itself has still not been found, and the army continues to comb the area. It is not even known whether the drone poses a real threat. Residents are advised not to approach the object if they spot it and to immediately call the emergency number.
“As the war in Ukraine intensifies, the number of either deliberate provocations or accidental flights of combat or simulated drones into Lithuanian airspace will only increase. But in connection with the incident with the alleged drone, I would like to point out one serious problem: communication between government agencies was extremely ineffective, completely inadequate, and only added to the confusion and uncertainty,” said the President’s chief adviser Deividas Matulionis.
On Tuesday, a meeting on the issue of airspace protection was held at the Presidential Palace, attended by Defence Minister Dovilė Šakalienė, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces R. Vaikšnoras, Minister of the Interior Vladislav Kondratovič, Head of the Fire and Rescue Department Renatas Požela and other officials.
Dovile Shakalene | Photo by J. Stacevicius / LRT
“We need to be realistic: the situation has not changed much compared to, for example, last summer. However, certain decisions are being made right now, because we are talking about both financing – we need funds for purchases – and the changing technological environment. What we are doing now is learning as quickly as possible from our neighbors and Ukraine, which is defending itself. But this does not give a 100% result. Nevertheless, we are doing everything possible: improving the airspace surveillance system, especially in terms of detecting objects flying at low altitudes in difficult weather conditions. We are purchasing special radars and plan to increase their number and expand the volume of purchases,” said Defense Minister D. Šakalienė.
In early July, a decoy drone, Gerbera, also flew into Lithuanian airspace. Although it did not pose a threat, its purpose was to mislead air defense systems. Visually, it resembles the combat drone Shahed. At that time, the population was not warned about the incident at all, and part of the state leadership was evacuated to shelters.
“Commander-in-Chief of the Lithuanian Armed Forces Raimundas Vaikšnoras said that he would like to shoot down disoriented drones in Belarusian airspace, but, unfortunately, he does not have the authority to do so.”
Too bad the article didn’t mention which jurisdiction it is that needs to give authorization to defend yourself. It, he, she is not doing its, his, her job. Waiting until people die is not acceptable and stupid.
So what they are saying is a NATO country can’t detect a drone entering its airspace? This is pathetic, and maybe you can’t shoot them down over Belarus, but you can shoot them down over Lithuania, if you can see them.
Getting a herd of drunk elephants to move is easier than the West.
This is what happens when you get a committee running things. The Baltics should be the most defended NATO place on Earth. A mosquito shouldn’t even be able to cross the border undetected.
Yeah, you’d figure that they had closely observed the war in Ukraine and done their homework. But, not NATO.
No wonder why the Moskali aren’t too worried about Ukraine joining NATO, they need a week to organize a meeting to have a meeting. Even then, they can’t do anything until someone is killed and it is thoroughly proven who, what, where and when, and then approval from everyone to organize a unanimous response…
Not getting what pruSSian scum is doing in Lietuva anyway. It’s Scandinavian business, period. These assholes are far from welcome. They should focus on Kaliningrad (Königsberg) instead.
And by the time they determine the culprit, which the entire planet already knew, they claim the expiration of the statute of limitations.