Russian Military Aircraft Briefly Violate Lithuanian Airspace

On October 23, 2025, two Russian military aircraft—a Su-30 fighter jet and an Il-78 refueling plane—entered Lithuanian airspace from the Kaliningrad region, penetrating approximately 700 meters and remaining for about 18 seconds. NATO's Baltic Air Policing mission responded promptly by scrambling Spanish Eurofighter Typhoon jets to patrol the area.

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda condemned the incursion, stating it was a "blatant breach of international law and territorial integrity." The Lithuanian Ministry of National Defence emphasized the nation's readiness, asserting that "every inch of our country is protected."

This incident follows a similar event in September 2025, when three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets violated Estonian airspace near Vaindloo Island for approximately 12 minutes, leading to strong condemnation from Tallinn and NATO. Airspace violations by Russian aircraft in the Baltic region are rare but sensitive, given heightened regional tensions since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

NATO's Baltic Air Policing mission operates from Šiauliai Air Base in Lithuania and Ämari Air Base in Estonia, providing continuous air defense coverage for the three Baltic states. The mission is currently led by the Spanish Air and Space Force, which has deployed eight Eurofighter Typhoons to Šiauliai Air Base.