Two Russian aircraft, an SU-30 and an IL-78, reportedly violated Lithuanian airspace on Thursday, leading to the scrambling of Spanish NATO fighter jets during ongoing air policing missions. The Lithuanian armed forces confirmed that the incursion occurred around 6:00 p.m. local time, with the Russian planes flying approximately 765 yards into Lithuanian territory before departing after about 18 seconds. The incident has escalated tensions in the region, with Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda condemning the breach as a clear violation of international law and the territorial integrity of Lithuania. NATO has warned Russia following the incident, highlighting the importance of maintaining robust European air defenses amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.
In response to the airspace violation, the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Russian charge d’ambassadeur from its embassy in Vilnius to formally protest the