Фото: D. Umbras / LRT
The drone that entered Lithuania from Belarus was not carrying explosives, according to preliminary data, Lithuanian Defense Minister Robertas Kaunas said.
“Preliminarily, the drone appears to have been without explosives, but this is very, very preliminary information, and it is currently being clarified,” Kaunas said.
Experts are examining the drone’s wreckage and surveying the area. Lithuania cannot yet say whether the drone was Russian, LRT reports.
“At present, the parts and fragments of the drone have been collected, and an additional area is being surveyed in order to find more fragments. Additional examinations will be carried out, and efforts are being made, as far as possible, to establish the drone’s route. Then it will be possible to assess whether this is a Russian drone and a possible provocation, or whether it is a drone from another country, say, a defensive drone. We will not rush to conclusions for now,” the Lithuanian defense minister said.
The drone entered Lithuanian airspace from Belarus during the night of September 14-15. It was shot down near Kaunas. Belarus did not notify the Lithuanian side about the drone. Lithuania’s Foreign Ministry plans to send Belarus a protest note.