BRUSSELS
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte had a phone call on Wednesday with Lithuania's Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys to address recent alleged violations of Lithuanian airspace by Russian military drones.
On X, the NATO spokesperson said the alliance takes these incidents "very seriously," adding: "We remain vigilant and ready to defend every inch of NATO territory."
According to a Lithuanian Foreign Ministry statement, Budrys emphasized that the increasing frequency of such incursions points to a dangerous trend.
"The consequences of Russia's war against Ukraine cross the borders of NATO countries," he said, underlining the threat these drones pose to both civilians and critical infrastructure.
Budrys stressed the urgency of strengthening NATO's eastern defenses, calling for "decisive action" to enhance anti-drone and air defense capabilities.
"This is not just a security issue for Lithuania or other frontline allies – it is a common security challenge for the entire Alliance," he urged.
Budrys emphasized that "our enemies are closely monitoring NATO's reaction ... therefore the response must be clear and unambiguously demonstrate that NATO will defend every centimeter of its territory – both on the ground and in the air."
The call comes after reported airspace violations involving Russian-made Gerbera drones in the past month. The most recent incident occurred on July 28, when a drone carrying 2 kilograms (4 pounds) of explosives was found at a training ground in Lithuania's Jonava district.
Military officials believe the drones may have been diverted by electronic warfare equipment en route to embattled Ukraine, though other possibilities remain under investigation, local media reported.
In response, Lithuania's foreign and defense ministers sent a joint letter to Rutte on Tuesday, urging NATO allies to deploy anti-drone defense systems in the country.
Lithuania, a former Soviet republic lying between modern Russia and the Baltic Sea, has a population of about 3 million, versus over 143 million in Russia.
It also has a small minority of Russians, about 5% of the population.
