Moscow rejects NATO-member’s airspace violation claims
Russia’s Defense Ministry has refuted claims that its military aircraft entered Lithuania’s airspace. Other NATO and EU states have made similar claims recently, which Moscow has also dismissed.
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda alleged on Thursday that a Russian Su-30 fighter jet and an Il-78 transport plane flew 700 meters into the country’s airspace. Two Spanish Eurofighter jets stationed in the country, under NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission, were reportedly scrambled in response.
In a post on X, Nauseda said it was “a blatant breach of international law and territorial integrity of Lithuania” and “reckless and dangerous behavior.”
“We have to react to this,” he added.
The Russian Defense Ministry has rejected the accusations, stating that its aircraft were carrying out scheduled training missions over the Kaliningrad Region on Thursday but “did not deviate from their route or violate the borders of other states.” This was confirmed by “objective control data,” it added.
Moscow’s response came amid a growing wave of similar accusations by several NATO and EU states who have claimed in recent weeks that Russian aircraft or drones had entered their airspace. The Kremlin has dismissed all such allegations as groundless, pointing to a consistent lack of evidence in all the cases.
Earlier this month, the European Parliament passed a non-binding resolution urging EU member states to shoot down Russian aircraft that enter their airspace. NATO officials have also discussed easing engagement rules and preparing for possible military confrontation with Russia.
Russian officials have warned that any attack on its aircraft would be viewed as an act of war, describing the escalating rhetoric as part of an effort to justify increased military spending and stir up anti-Russian hysteria across Europe. Moscow has repeatedly stressed that it has no aggressive plans against NATO or the EU but has warned that any aggression would be met with “a resolute response.”
