Two Russian military planes breached Lithuanian airspace on Thursday, igniting fresh concerns over NATO’s eastern security. The incident lasted just 18 seconds but sparked swift responses across the alliance.
According to Lithuania’s armed forces, a Su-30 fighter jet and an Il-78 refuelling aircraft crossed into the country’s territory from the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad around 4:00 p.m. CET.
NATO Jets on High Alert Amid Surge in Russian Airspace Violations
The pair were reportedly conducting a refuelling training mission when they veered off course into NATO-protected skies.
Spanish Eurofighter Typhoon jets, currently stationed in the Baltic as part of NATO’s air policing mission, were scrambled in response and are now patrolling the area.
“I strongly condemn the violation of Lithuanian airspace recently by the fighter jet and transport plane of Russian Federation from Kaliningrad region,” Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda declared in a video posted on X.
He didn’t mince words, calling it a “blatant breach of international law and territorial integrity. We have to react to this.”
There has been no immediate reaction from Moscow regarding the latest incident.
The brief but deliberate intrusion of Russian aircraft into Lithuanian airspace underscores a growing pattern of airspace violations across Europe, raising the stakes for NATO’s eastern members and reigniting debates about deterrence and readiness.
This evening, Russian military planes violated Lithuanian air space. This is a blatant breach of international law and territorial integrity of Lithuania. Once again, it confirms the importance of strengthening European air defence readiness.@LithuaniaMFA will summon Russian… pic.twitter.com/0GS6OrKaRx
— Gitanas Nausėda (@GitanasNauseda) October 23, 2025
Pattern of Violations Raises Alarm Across Europe
This isn’t an isolated event. Both NATO and the European Union have been on heightened alert following a recent surge in airspace violations believed to originate from Russia.
In September, NATO issued a stern warning after Russian drones were downed over Poland and fighter jets reportedly entered Estonian skies.
The incident in Poland on 10 September marked a major flashpoint, the first direct confrontation between NATO and Russia since the invasion of Ukraine began in 2022.
Estonia also accused Moscow of violating its airspace when three MiG-31 jets crossed into Estonian territory for 12 minutes without clearance. The Kremlin, as expected, denied the claim.
NATO’s response was unequivocal: “Russia should be in no doubt: NATO and Allies will employ, in accordance with international law, all necessary military and non-military tools to defend ourselves and deter all threats from all directions,” the alliance said in a statement.
NATO Responds with ‘Eastern Sentry’
In the wake of these repeated incursions, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte introduced a new initiative, Eastern Sentry.
“We see drones violating our airspace. Whether it was intentional or not, it is unacceptable. The allies have expressed full solidarity with Poland,” said Rutte.
The programme is designed to deter Russian provocations and demonstrate NATO’s unwavering commitment to defend its eastern flank. The move sends a strong message that every member state’s airspace is off-limits and will be defended without hesitation.
Drone Sightings Spark Airport Closures
The tension doesn’t end there. On 23 September, drone sightings led to the temporary closure of Copenhagen airport. Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen didn’t rule out Russian involvement.
“It says something about the times we live in and what we as a society must be prepared to deal with,” she remarked.
A day earlier, Oslo airport in Norway was also shut for three hours due to similar drone activity. According to Norwegian authorities, Russian aircraft have violated their airspace three times this year alone. Whether Monday’s incident was intentional or a navigational error remains unclear.
“Regardless of the cause, this is not acceptable,” said Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.
Rising Tensions Demand Swift Action
As Russian aircraft continue to push boundaries literally and figuratively, European leaders are grappling with the possibility of miscalculation or escalation.
NATO’s presence in the Baltics, bolstered by regular patrols and quick response teams, is being tested. The Eastern Sentry programme and enhanced surveillance are the West’s latest answers to what many see as growing Russian aggression in the region.
One thing is clear: NATO’s eastern skies are becoming increasingly contested. And Europe is watching closely.
