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Lithuania Asks NATO to Bolster Air Defences After Cross-Border Drone Incursions

The formal appeal to NATO underscores alliance responsibility for protecting Lithuania’s entire territory after two Gerbera UAVs crossed from Belarus.

Lithuania's Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys attends a press conference in Lublin, Poland, July 16, 2025. REUTERS/Kuba Stezycki/File Photo

Overview

  • On August 5, Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys and Defence Minister Dovilė Šakalienė sent a joint letter to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte requesting immediate reinforcement of Lithuania’s air defences and accelerated rotational deployments.
  • The appeal follows two Gerbera UAV incursions from Belarus—one on July 10 that posed no threat and another on July 28 that crashed in a military training area with a 2 kg explosives payload.
  • Defence Minister Šakalienė said the July 28 drone was likely intended for Ukraine but became disoriented after encountering Ukrainian air defences.
  • Lithuanian Army chief of staff Dainius Paskevicius confirmed the recovered drone was a wooden Gerbera copy of Iran’s Shahed kamikaze munition used by Russian forces.
  • NATO has said Supreme Allied Commander Europe General Grynkewich can enact necessary measures and that allies are expanding detection and counter-drone capabilities.