NATO Scrambles Fighter Jets Over Drone Threat Near Baltic States

NATO fighter jets were scrambled after Lithuania and Latvia reported threats from unidentified drones approaching their airspace from the direction of Russia or Belarus, prompting authorities to issue emergency shelter warnings.

The alerts were issued overnight on November 10–11 as military and civilian authorities monitored suspicious aerial activity near the Baltic countries' borders.

Lithuania's National Crisis Management Centre said NATO aircraft assigned to the alliance's Baltic air policing mission were activated in response to an unidentified object detected over Belarus and moving toward the region.

Lithuanian authorities warned residents in several areas, including Kaunas, the country's second-largest city, to seek shelter.

In neighboring Latvia, military officials activated interceptor drones and air defense units after detecting a potential threat near the country's eastern borders.

Residents in affected areas were instructed to take protective measures while security forces assessed the situation.

No injuries were immediately reported.

The incidents come amid growing concerns over the spillover effects of the war in Ukraine, with unidentified drones repeatedly triggering airspace alerts across NATO's eastern flank.

Ukrainian drones have previously strayed into the airspace of Baltic countries and Finland during operations targeting Russian infrastructure.

Moscow has accused Kyiv of using NATO airspace to support attacks against Russian targets, while Ukraine has said Russian electronic warfare systems have diverted some of its drones from their intended routes.

The latest alerts occurred as Ukrainian drone operations continued to target strategic facilities in Russia's Baltic region.

Authorities had not established the identity or origin of the objects involved in the latest alerts, and there was no confirmed report that NATO aircraft had engaged or shot down a drone.