The Lithuanian Ministry of Defense today accused Moscow of violating the country’s airspace, on the border with Russia and Belarus, in an incident that led to the activation of two Spanish Eurofighter fighters.
“Our forces acted quickly with NATO fighters“, wrote the Ministry on the social network X, adding that “Lithuania remains strong and prepared” to defend “every inch” of the country.
The Lithuanian Armed Forces detailed, in a statement, that two Russian aircraft entered Lithuanian airspace from the Kaliningrad enclave, located in the west of the Baltic country, around 18:00 (16:00 in Lisbon).
The aircraft identified were an SU-30 fighter and an IL-78 refueling plane that were possibly carrying out maneuvers in the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad, located west of Lithuania, the Lithuanian military added.
Lithuania accuses Moscow of territorial violation and active NATO military response. The two military devices entered Lithuanian airspace at around 700 meters for 18 seconds, said the same statement.
In response to the incident, two Spanish Eurofighter fighters, which are part of NATO’s air policing mission, took to the air and patrolled the area.
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda condemned a “flagrant violation of international law and Lithuania’s territorial integrity”and called for a response from European partners.
“Once again, [o incidente] confirms the importance of reinforcing the preparation of European air defense”, maintained Nauseda, announcing that diplomacy in Vilnius – the Lithuanian capital – will summon the Russian ambassador to protest against a “reckless and dangerous behavior”.
As Washington sanctions against oil companies Rosneft and Lukoil were justified with “the refusal to [o Presidente russo, Vladimir] Putin in stopping the senseless war”, in a reference to invasion of Ukrainestarted in February 2022.
Also this week, the US President, Donald Trumppostponed a meeting which was scheduled to take place in Budapest with his Kremlin counterpart, to discuss the conflict in Ukraine.