Aviation News – Lithuania lodges protest over brief Russian airspace breach
Lithuania has accused Russia of violating its airspace after two Russian military aircraft reportedly entered Lithuanian territory on Thursday, prompting a formal diplomatic protest and a NATO response. The incident highlights growing regional tensions amid heightened vigilance along NATO’s eastern borders.
According to the Lithuanian military, the two Russian aircraft — a Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jet and an Ilyushin Il-78 refuelling tanker — crossed approximately 700 meters into Lithuanian airspace from the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad at around 1500 GMT. The incursion lasted about 18 seconds. Russia has denied any wrongdoing, saying its aircraft adhered to international flight rules.
The aircraft were believed to be engaged in a mid-air refuelling training exercise when the breach occurred. Lithuanian officials said NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission quickly responded, deploying allied jets to monitor the situation and ensure no further violations took place.
