(updated) An air raid alert has been declared in Lithuania’s Ignalina, Utena, Švenčionys and Zarasai districts, as well as in Vilnius County, due to a suspected drone spotted in Belarus near the Lithuanian border.
“A public warning regarding an air threat (‘Yellow’) has been issued in the Ignalina, Utena, Švenčionys and Zarasai districts. The reason is that a radar track with characteristics typical of unmanned aerial vehicles is currently being observed on the territory of Belarus near the Lithuanian border. Fighter jets carrying out NATO’s air policing mission have been deployed from the Lithuanian side”, the Lithuanian army reported. Later, an air raid alert was also declared in the Vilnius district.
Residents of these districts received messages warning of a possible air threat. They were advised to identify a safe location.
Yellow status means that an attack is considered likely but is not currently underway; however, residents should identify shelters in advance in case the status changes to Red.
Updated at 10:30
A red alert level has been declared for Vilnius County. Residents have been advised to proceed to shelters.
Airspace over Vilnius Airport was temporarily closed from 10:00 to 11:00.
The threat of an air attack in Vilnius County was cancelled, the Lithuanian army reported at 10:53.
