Lithuania asks NATO for more air defences after drones land on its territory

6/8/2025 7:41

Lithuania's foreign ministry has written to the NATO military alliance asking it to help strengthen its air defences, it said on Tuesday, after two military drones crossed into its territory from Belarus last month.



"This must not be only Lithuania's responsibility, because we are defending the eastern NATO flank," Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys told reporters.



NATO and European Union member Lithuania borders Russia and Moscow's ally, Belarus.



The letter from Lithuania's foreign and defence ministers to NATO General Secretary Mark Rutte said the alliance must show it is ready to defend "every centimetre of its territory".



In an emailed comment, NATO said it was monitoring the situation closely.



"The Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), General Grynkewich, has the ability to decide measures he deems necessary. Allies are also procuring and developing detection and counter-drone capabilities," NATO said.