Nato member Lithuania says two Russian jets briefly entered its airspace
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Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene said after the airspace violation that Russia was behaving like a "terrorist state".
PHOTO: REUTERS
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- Two Russian military aircraft briefly entered Lithuanian airspace from Kaliningrad, prompting a response by Nato jets.
- Lithuania's Prime Minister condemned Russia's actions, calling it a "terrorist state" that disregards international law.
- Nato has responded firmly to recent Russian airspace incursions into member states, but expects further boundary testing.
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VILNIUS - Nato member Lithuania said two Russian military aircraft entered its airspace on Oct 23 for about 18 seconds, prompting a formal protest and a reaction from Nato forces, while Russia denied the incident.
The two aircraft, an Su-30 fighter and Il-78 refuelling tanker, were possibly on a refuelling training mission when they flew 700m into Lithuania from the Kaliningrad region at about 1500 GMT (11pm in Singapore), the military said.
The Russian Defence Ministry said that none of the Su-30 jets training in Kaliningrad on Oct 23 violated borders of other countries.
Spanish Eurofighter Typhoon jets from the Nato Baltic Air Police were scrambled in response and were patrolling the area, the Lithuanian military said.
“This is another demonstration of Nato’s readiness to respond to any developments and ability to ensure the safety of the Alliance’s airspace,” a Nato official told Reuters.
Lithuania summoned Russia’s top diplomat in the country and issued a stern protest, and informed its Nato and European Union allies and the North Atlantic Council about the incident, the Foreign Ministry said.
“This incident once again shows that Russia is behaving like a terrorist state, disregarding international law and the security of neighbouring countries,” Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene said on Facebook.
“Lithuania is safe. Together with our allies, we look after and will defend every centimetre of our country,” she added.
Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal expressed “full solidarity” with Lithuania. Polish Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz said this shows that “Russia is in no way calming down or retreating” and that continued vigilance is required. Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braze also expressed full solidarity.
Three Russian military jets violated Estonia’s airspace for 12 minutes
Nine days earlier, more than 20 Russian drones entered Polish airspace.
The US general serving as Nato’s top commander said earlier this week that Russia appeared to have been deterred by Nato’s firm response to the incursions into Polish and Estonian airspace, but Moscow is expected to continue testing boundaries. REUTERS
