北约战斗机击落入侵立陶宛领空的无人机

北约战斗机于9月15日早间击落一架进入立陶宛领空的无人机 34。该无人机来自白俄罗斯，于周二午夜后从邻国进入立陶宛南部 2。根据不同报道，无人机在中南部普拉特库奈村附近 1 或考纳斯湖附近的农村地区坠落 3。立陶宛国家危机管理中心负责人维特考斯卡斯表示，目前无法判断该无人机是否为作战无人机 4。这是立陶宛首次在其领空上空击落无人机 4。

立陶宛总统纳乌塞达表示北约进行了"迅速和负责任的回应" 2，并强调在俄罗斯加强对乌克兰侵略的背景下，这种防御准备对该地区至关重要 3。立陶宛外交部长布德里斯表示北约的反应"传递了一个明确的信号，即北约保持警觉、坚定承诺且随时准备" 3。波兰于周一晚上报告其领空内有"航空操作" 2，原因是俄罗斯联邦无人机的活动。俄乌冲突以来，类似无人机入侵在立陶宛及北约成员国拉脱维亚和爱沙尼亚变得常见 3。

NATO fighter jets shot down an unmanned aerial vehicle that entered Lithuanian airspace on September 15 early morning 34. The drone, which originated from Belarus 123, was intercepted as it flew westward into the country's southern region near the city of Kaunas 23. This marked the first time Lithuania has shot down a drone over its territory 4.

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda confirmed the interception, stating that "the drone that just entered Lithuanian airspace has been destroyed by NATO fighter jets" 2. He emphasized that "with Russia intensifying its aggression against Ukraine, such readiness is vital for our region," and pledged that "together with our NATO Allies, Lithuania will defend its airspace" 3. The NATO response involved Italian pilots and Lithuanian armed forces and was characterized as demonstrating "swift and responsible action" 2. Lithuania's Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budris added that the response "sends a clear message that NATO stands vigilant, committed, and ready" 3.

Officials acknowledged uncertainty about the drone's exact classification. The head of Lithuania's National Crisis Management Center stated that while the unmanned vehicle likely originated from Belarus, it could not be determined whether it was an armed combat drone 4. The incident occurred amid recurring airspace violations across the Baltic region; Poland reported aerial activity in its airspace the previous evening linked to Russian Federation unmanned aircraft operations 2. Such intrusions have become frequent since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 3.