Italian Air Force Eurofighter Typhoons, currently deployed at Šiauliai Air Base for the NATO Baltic Air Policing mission, successfully intercepted and downed an unidentified drone after it entered Lithuanian airspace. The incident occurred shortly after midnight on September 15, 2026.
Lithuanian military officials confirmed the engagement, noting that the aircraft utilized missile weaponry to destroy the drone. The wreckage was subsequently located in the Kaišiadorys district, between Vilnius and Kaunas. The event prompted temporary operational restrictions at Vilnius Airport as regional authorities monitored the situation.
This interception highlights the active role of NATO Baltic Air Policing units in managing complex airspace security. While the origin of the drone remains under investigation, the incident follows a period of heightened regional tension and a series of radar contacts near the border. Recent operational history in the region has included false alarms triggered by bird activity, though the military differentiates between these radar returns and confirmed unmanned aerial threats. Local authorities continue to evaluate the wreckage to determine the origin and purpose of the flight.