Lithuanian Defense and Foreign ministers have appealed to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte to strengthen the country’s air defense against Russian drones.
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys announced this on social media X, according to Ukrinform.
“Today, with Dovile Šakalienė, we issued a joint letter to NATO Secretary General calling for immediate measures to enhance air defence capabilities in Lithuania & accelerate the full implementation of the rotational air defence model. Air defence is vital to Allied security. Securing NATO’s Eastern Flank must remain a top priority for the Alliance,” he wrote.
Budrys recalled that last Monday, a Russian military drone violated Lithuanian airspace.
“This marks the second such incident in less than a month. Similar airspace violations have also been reported recently by other Allies. These repeated incidents represent an alarming sign of the spillover of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine onto NATO territory,” the Minister said.
Budrys stated that Lithuania cannot jeopardize its security and the safety of its citizens, as well as the integrity of NATO airspace.
“We must remain vigilant, as the threat is real and growing,” he said.
Ukrinform reported that on the morning of July 28, an unidentified drone violated Lithuanian airspace, flying in from Belarus.
Photo: Delfi
Source: Lithuania asks NATO Secretary General to strengthen air defense due to Russian drones
