On Thursday, the Lithuanian military reported that two Russian military planes briefly entered its airspace, remaining for 18 seconds. The aircraft, an SU-30 fighter and an IL-78 tanker, flew from Kaliningrad into Lithuania. In response, two Spanish Eurofighter jets were dispatched.
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda labeled the incursion a “clear violation” of international law and indicated that the Foreign Ministry would summon Russian embassy officials to express protest.
Russia’s Defense Ministry acknowledged the flight but denied any airspace violation, claiming the training was conducted within Russian territory.
This incident is part of a growing pattern of Russian military intrusions into NATO airspace, raising concerns among European leaders about potential threats and challenges to NATO’s defenses. Nations like Poland, Romania, and the Baltic states, which have historical experiences with Russian aggression, are particularly apprehensive about these developments.
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