NATO Jet Shoots Down Drone Over Lithuania After Belarusian Incursion

NATO Jet Shoots Down Drone Over Lithuania After Belarusian Incursion

Security

A NATO aircraft shot down a drone that entered Lithuanian airspace from Belarus on 13 September, NATO officials said, confirming the incident in reports on 15 September. The interception occurred near Vilnius and prompted the temporary closure of the city’s airport.

Lithuanian authorities had earlier reported that NATO jets had engaged the intruding drone, citing regional security concerns amid the war in Ukraine. They later clarified that a radar alert that led to the airport shutdown and the deployment of a NATO fighter jet was in fact caused by a flock of birds.

Actors

Lithuanian authorities National Crisis Management Centre NATO Italian forces Vilnius airport

Locations

Vilnius, Lithuania Siauliai, Lithuania Lithuania Finland Estonia Latvia Italy

Fact Check

How these metrics work
Verdict: Partially confirmed Confidence: 75% Claims: 2
At a glance

The claim that Lithuanian authorities stated a drone entering from Belarus was shot down by NATO jets on September 15, 2026, was partially confirmed. The report of a radar alert on September 13, 2026, causing the temporary closure of Vilnius airport and the deployment of a NATO fighter jet, which was later identified as a flock of birds, was also partially confirmed.

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This section contains an automated verification of claims against external sources and may contain inaccuracies.

Articles

September 15, 2026
4 total
NATO Jet Intercepts Drone Over Lithuanian Airspace Amid Rising Regional Tensions
NATO Jet Intercepts Drone Over Lithuanian Airspace Amid Rising Regional Tensions

pbs.org • 15 Sep 22:40

An Italian Air Force jet shot down an unidentified drone in Lithuania after a 30-minute chase, marking the latest aerial incursion near NATO’s eastern flank as officials assess the incident’s origin and implications.

Credibility 68% Manip. 45% Center
NATO Fighter Jets Intercept Drone Over Lithuanian Airspace
NATO Fighter Jets Intercept Drone Over Lithuanian Airspace

NPR • 15 Sep 09:06

NATO aircraft shot down an unidentified drone that entered Lithuanian airspace near Pratkūnai, marking the alliance's first such interception in the country.

Credibility 72% Manip. 32% Center
NATO Fighter Jet Shoots Down Drone Over Lithuania After Belarusian Airspace Violation
NATO Fighter Jet Shoots Down Drone Over Lithuania After Belarusian Airspace Violation

Euronews.com • 15 Sep 06:44

A NATO aircraft intercepted and destroyed a drone that entered Lithuanian airspace from Belarus, prompting officials to affirm the alliance's readiness on its eastern flank.

Credibility 72% Manip. 9% Center
NATO fighter jets intercept drone over Lithuania, officials say
NATO fighter jets intercept drone over Lithuania, officials say

DW.com • 15 Sep 04:20

Lithuanian authorities said a drone that entered the country's airspace from Belarus was shot down by NATO jets, highlighting regional security concerns amid the war in Ukraine.

Credibility 72% Manip. 12% Center
September 14, 2026
1 total
NATO fighters down drone that entered Lithuanian airspace
NATO fighters down drone that entered Lithuanian airspace

BBC • 14 Sep 23:26

A drone that entered Lithuanian airspace from the direction of Belarus was intercepted and shot down by NATO jets, authorities said.

Credibility 72% Manip. 32% Center
September 13, 2026
1 total
Lithuania confirms false drone alarm was caused by birds after NATO jet response
Lithuania confirms false drone alarm was caused by birds after NATO jet response

Reuters • 13 Sep 11:39

A radar alert that led to the temporary closure of Vilnius airport and the deployment of a NATO fighter jet was later identified as a flock of birds.

Credibility 72% Manip. 8% Center

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