A drone that Lithuanian officials identified as Ukrainian crossed into Lithuania from Poland and exploded Sunday, scattering debris onto a passing car and prompting a red air alert in two counties.
LRT reported that President Gitanas Nausėda’s chief national security adviser Deividas Matulionis identified Poland as the drone’s route into Lithuania. Lithuanian Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius said Ukraine had reported losing contact with a drone during an attack. He said that information and the recovered debris pointed to a Ukrainian aircraft carrying explosives.
Lithuanian news agency ELTA reported that authorities found the wreckage near Juodžioniai in Pasvalys district. Debris hit the car while it was moving, but its occupants were unharmed.
The Polish Ministry of National Defence (MON) said Polish Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz ordered the Operational Commander to examine the events of Oct. 17-18 and available radar systems in Poland and neighboring countries, working with Lithuania. The ministry rejected a media claim that the drone had been launched from Lithuania and said it was awaiting official findings.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine (MFA) expressed regret and apologized for any disruption, risks or concern caused by the incident. The spokesperson said Russian electronic warfare may have diverted the drone during a Ukrainian operation against military targets in Russia.
ELTA reported that Lithuania lifted the red air alert for Panevėžys and Šiauliai counties about an hour after issuing it. Anadolu Agency reported that NATO fighters were dispatched, but cloud cover kept them from identifying the object visually.
Matulionis said Lithuania’s State Defence Council would discuss public alert procedures next week.
