Lithuania Warns of Russian False-Flag Drone Attacks

Lithuanian Defense Minister Robertas Kaunas warned that Russia is considering a false-flag operation using captured Ukrainian drones to target critical infrastructure in the Baltic region. Kaunas stated that Moscow may employ this tactic to exploit the false belief that Baltic states are permitting Ukraine to use their airspace for strikes on Russian territory, an effort intended to escalate tensions and undermine NATO support for Ukraine.

While Kaunas noted there is no imminent threat, Lithuania has increased security around key infrastructure. The Baltic states and Poland have informed Russia that they are aware of these deliberations. President of Latvia Edgars Rinkēvičs corroborated the threat, citing intelligence that drones sent directly from Russia could be used to provoke the region.

Parallel security concerns emerged in Germany, where Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt described the discovery of an explosive-laden drone at Leipzig-Halle airport as a hybrid attack scenario. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk added that the coming months may be critical for the Baltic states as these hybrid threats persist.