Lithuania's Defence Minister says NATO should down Russian drones in Baltics
Europe
By
AFP
| Sep 12, 2024
Lithuania's defence minister said Wednesday that NATO aircraft based in the Baltic states should shoot down Russian drones that drift into their airspace after a Russian drone crashed in Latvia last week.
Warplanes from other NATO members have patrolled their skies over the Baltic states since they joined the military alliance in 2004 as the three former Soviet republics do not have the necessary aircraft.
NATO aircraft "must not only patrol but also, if necessary, if possible destroy the drones," Defence Minister Laurynas Kasciunas told reporters in Lithuanian capital Vilnius.
READ MORE
Magical Kenya Open: Jastas Madoya reveals what fuels his passion for golf
Youthful Kinoti Kiara crowned African fencing champion
How Chinese elements shine at Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics
Thunder plot Equity Bank raid as Premier League tips off
Kenya Army, KPA and Equity win as league second leg gets underway
Lemke, Jarvis on one stroke lead as Njoroge shoulders Kenya's hope
Odhiambo leads congratulations as Kanjama becomes LSK's 52nd president
All World Cup matches sold out, says FIFA's Infantino
How Kenya is now positioning itself as top sports destination
Magical Kenya Open: Kruyswijk, Kibugu inspire local charges as battle intensifies
He added the decision-making process should be shortened to make this possible.
His comments follow a Russian drone crashing in Latvia on Saturday. Latvia's armed forces said it was an Iranian-design Shahed drone equipped with explosives.
On Tuesday, Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics said his country was discussing the problem of Russian drones with its allies.
"We are raising the issue with our NATO partners about protocols for interception of drones, calling for the allied air fighters to be used immediately after such a drone has been seen approaching our borders," Rinkevics said.
Baltic officials also urged NATO to step up plans to deploy ground-based air defences along the bloc's eastern border.
NATO countries lack sufficient ground-based air defence systems, but agreed last year to short-term deployments to dissuade Russia.
In April, the Netherlands deployed Patriot missile systems for exercises in Lithuania, but the Baltic countries want air defence systems deployed on a permanent basis in the region.
At the beginning of September, Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said Warsaw should have the right to down Russian missiles threatening its territory in Ukrainian airspace.