Lithuanian border guards intercepted a fixed-wing drone that had crossed into the country from Belarus, the State Border Guard Service of Lithuania reported.
During the night between Saturday and Sunday, border guards spotted the unmanned aircraft near the Belarusian border in the area known as the Dieveniškės Loop. The drone was brought down using counter-drone equipment.
A deployed parachute was found at the crash site. Authorities believe it had been installed to allow the aircraft to land safely in the event of battery failure.
The homemade drone, which had a wingspan of three meters, also contained a compartment designed for carrying and dropping cigarettes. No cargo was found inside the compartment. Border guards are continuing their search.
Since the beginning of the year, Lithuanian border guards have intercepted 25 drones carrying contraband cigarettes from Belarus.
