Russian planes violated Lithuanian airspace, military says

Two Russian military aircraft flew into Lithuanian airspace for nearly half a mile before flying away after roughly 18 seconds, according to Lithuania’s military. The Lithuanian armed forces believed the two aircraft might have been practicing refueling exercises.

How will Lithuania respond? Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauséda strongly condemned the move, calling it a cruel violation of international law and Lithuania’s territorial sovereignty. According to Nauséda, Lithuania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs will summon Russian embassy representatives to Vilnius. Russia denied any role in the incursion, according to Reuters.

Has Russia been accused of any previous airspace violations of NATO members? In September, Russian drones flew into Polish airspace, forcing NATO to shoot down some of the devices. Additional airspace incursions took place in other areas, such as Estonia and Romania, occurring near airports, military installations, and other important infrastructure.

What is the European Union doing about the violations? On Thursday, European Union leaders endorsed a plan from the European Commission to ensure Europe can defend itself. Called the Defense Readiness Roadmap 2030, the plan calls on European leaders to prioritize several defensive measures, including air and missile defense, artillery systems, and electronic warfare.

Earlier this month, the European Parliament passed a resolution calling for a unified response against Russia’s numerous alleged airspace violations. It encourages members to step up their investments in drone technology and countermeasures.

Dig Deeper: Read Christina Grube’s report on new Russian sanctions issued by the European Union and the United States.