Lithuania said a Russian fighter jet and refueling tanker entered its airspace from the Kaliningrad region, remaining inside the NATO member’s territory for 18 seconds. According to a statement the aircraft—a Sukhoi SU-30 and an Ilyushin IL-78 —crossed about a half a mile into Lithuanian territory near the town of Kybartai at around 6 p.m. local time. The Lithuanian Air Force said Spanish Eurofighter jets, currently deployed under NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission, were scrambled in response.
President Gitanas Nausėda called the airspace violation a “blatant breach of international law and the territorial integrity of Lithuania,” in a statement posted on X and reported by DW. Nausėda said the incident “confirms the importance of strengthening European air defense readiness.”
This evening, Russian military planes violated Lithuanian air space. This is a blatant breach of international law and territorial integrity of Lithuania. Once again, it confirms the importance of strengthening European air defence readiness.@LithuaniaMFA will summon Russian… pic.twitter.com/0GS6OrKaRx
— Gitanas Nausėda (@GitanasNauseda) October 23, 2025
Lithuania’s Foreign Ministry said it would summon representatives of the Russian Embassy in Vilnius to formally protest what officials described as “reckless and dangerous behavior.”
There have been several related incidents in recent weeks involving Russian jets and, possibly, drones entering the airspace of NATO members. European officials have expressed concern that such actions are part of a broader campaign of intimidation by Moscow to test NATO’s response. Lithuania, along with its Baltic neighbors and bordering nations Finland and Poland, sits on the alliance’s eastern flank and has been a vocal advocate for bolstering air defenses amid ongoing tensions over Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Who will tell Lithuania to start acting like the Russians! Just shoot down any unauthorized aircraft! Yes, a confrontation with the Russians would likely ensure. But with NATO in the Baltic ready to shoot down more Russian Aircraft; the Russians would be forced to go away. Should not be a problem. Getting those pesky Russians to stay inside their borders needs to happen! Yes, this is looking like the start of WWI except it would be WWIII. Except, it appears China is also fed up with Russia. So at least for now, unless China changes their mind, Russia can be isolated for their violent insolence! NATO and Trump are buying for time and will not say why. The assumption is they want the Star Wars defense shield in place before WWIII starts! Which is probably sensible. And you can bet the Russians know when the US & NATO Star Wars Defense system will be done. And the Russians will be ready. The Russians only know how to fight; except or worse they fight with a smile which makes them very, very ugly. And the Russians do not care because living in poverty seems to suit them!