Two Russian military planes temporarily entered the airspace of Lithuania, provoking strong reactions from the Lithuanian government.

On Thursday, two Russian military aircraft, a Sukhoi Su-30 and an Iliushin Il-78, entered Lithuanian airspace for approximately 18 seconds, according to the Lithuanian army. The aircraft, which were likely on a training mission for in-flight refueling, flew from the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad. Following the incident, Spanish Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft, part of the NATO air policing mission in the region, were scrambled.

The reaction of the Lithuanian government chief, Inga Ruginiene, was firm, denouncing Russia's behavior as terrorist and emphasizing Lithuania's commitment to defend its sovereignty alongside NATO allies. Lithuania, like the other Baltic states, maintains tense relations with Russia, significantly investing in defense and military support for Ukraine.