Lithuania accused Russia of violating its airspace on Thursday, stating that two Russian military aircraft briefly entered the country’s territory. According to the Lithuanian military, a Sukhoi SU-30 fighter and an IL-78 tanker, flying from the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad, penetrated 700 metres into Lithuanian airspace before exiting after 18 seconds.
In response, Nato scrambled two Typhoon Eurofighters from its Baltic air patrol mission. The Lithuanian military suggested the incursion likely occurred during aerial refuelling training.
Lithuania’s foreign ministry summoned the Russian chargé d’affaires and issued a “strong protest”. Russia’s defence ministry denied the incursion had taken place. This incident follows a similar event in September, when three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets lingered for 12 minutes in Estonian airspace, prompting protests at the UN Security Council and a warning from the Nato Council.
