NATO Jets Scramble as Drones Enter Baltic Airspace

NATO fighter jets were scrambled over Lithuania and Latvia on November 11 after unidentified drones entered their airspace from Belarus and Russia. The incursions triggered red and yellow air alerts in Vilnius, Kaunas, and Utena, forcing residents to seek shelter and temporarily suspending operations at Vilnius and Kaunas airports. Estonia and Finland also issued overnight alerts and temporary airspace restrictions.

Mindaugas Sinkevičius, Prime Minister of Lithuania, confirmed that NATO jets attempted to neutralize a target over northern Lithuania, leaving missile debris near Biržai. Lithuanian Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas stated the drones were likely Ukrainian aircraft intended for Russian targets, such as the port of Ust-Luga, that drifted off course. This assessment aligns with reports of Ukrainian drone strikes on the Ust-Luga port and a northwest Russian oil refinery, which injured three people, while debris killed two others in the Smolensk region.

The incidents occurred as Russia launched air strikes against Kryvyi Rih, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhia in Ukraine. The escalation took place during a two-day meeting between Russian and Ukrainian officials in Abu Dhabi, supported by U.S. President Donald Trump. Russia has accused Ukraine of using NATO airspace for cover, while Ukraine claims Russian signal jamming caused the drones to stray.