Lithuania experienced its first mobile phone “take shelter” alert in an EU and Nato country since the start of Russia’s 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine, following a drone violation of its airspace. The warning, issued on a Wednesday morning at approximately 10:20 am and lasting for about an hour, prompted immediate and widespread responses. Air and train traffic in and around the capital, Vilnius, was suspended, and residents were urged to seek shelter.

During the alert, Lithuania’s President, Gitanas Nausėda, and Prime Minister, Inga Ruginienė, were swiftly moved to underground bunkers, alongside cabinet members and Members of Parliament. Schools directed children to designated shelters, while individuals in offices and apartment buildings sought refuge in basements, adhering to the defence ministry’s instruction: “Air raid alert! Go immediately to a shelter or a safe place, take care of your family members and wait for further instructions.”

The incident quickly drew international attention and sparked strong reactions. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, stated after the alert that Russia and Belarus were directly responsible for a recent spate of drone incursions into EU and Nato countries’ airspace. She specifically mentioned that Russian electronic jamming had been blamed for Ukrainian drones crossing into Finland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, all of which share borders with Russia. A Nato jet had already shot down a drone over Estonia the previous day, and Latvia’s prime minister had resigned last week over similar incursions. Von der Leyen underscored the gravity of the situation on social media, declaring, “Russia’s public threats against our Baltic states are completely unacceptable. Russia and Belarus bear direct responsibility for drones endangering the lives and security of people on our eastern flank.”

Nato’s Secretary General, Mark Rutte, echoed these sentiments, asserting that even if drones crash-landing in the Baltic states were launched by Ukraine, they were ultimately “not there because Ukraine wants to send a drone to Latvia, Lithuania or Estonia. They are there because of the reckless, illegal, full-scale attack of Russia.” The escalating situation led some EU and Nato members to suggest a more forceful response might be necessary, with Poland’s Prime Minister, Donald Tusk, stating, “The Ukrainian-Russian war may soon lead to a situation where we will have to react firmly.”

Lithuania’s army confirmed detecting a radar signal “typical of an unmanned aerial vehicle” in Belarusian airspace, while Vilmantas Vitkauskas, head of the National Crisis Management Centre, reported a drone sighting in the Vilnius area. Vitkauskas commented on its nature, saying, “Based on the parameters we saw, it’s most likely either a combat drone or a drone designed to deceive systems and lure targets.” He also noted the limitations of electronic countermeasures in determining if an explosive device had detonated. Lithuania’s Defence Minister, Robertas Kaunas, later indicated the drone had originated from Latvia, and its fate—whether it crashed or exited Lithuanian airspace—remained unknown, as Nato fighter jets were unable to locate it.

The incident unfolded amidst heightened tensions and mutual accusations. Russia’s ambassador to the UN had caused outrage by claiming Kyiv would soon launch drones at Russia from the Baltic states and issuing a direct threat to Latvia, stating Nato membership would “not protect you from retaliation.” In response, Lithuania’s Foreign Minister, Kęstutis Budrys, accused Moscow of “deliberately redirecting Ukrainian drones into Baltic airspace while waging smear campaigns” against the three Baltic states. Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesperson, confirmed that Russia’s military was “closely monitoring the situation” regarding drones flying through the Baltic states’ airspace and was formulating an appropriate response.