NATO jets were scrambled after two Russian military planes violated Lithuanian airspace on Thursday. An SU-30 fighter jet and an IL-78 refuelling aircraft flew about 700 metres into the territory of the Baltic state, before leaving after 20 seconds.
It is thought that the Russian planes were conducting refuelling exercises in the Kaliningrad region at the time. Lithuania shares a 171 mile border with the Russian enclave, that is home to major military bases. Stocked with an extensive supply of nuclear-capable missiles, Kaliningrad poses significant risks to European security.
Two Spanish Eurofighter Typhoons were dispatched to the area and carried out security patrols.
Lithuania’s President Gitanas Nausėda accused Russia of “a gross violation of international law”.
“We condemn Russia’s actions and the incursion of military aircraft into our airspace,” he said. “We see that these incidents have been increasing recently – not only in Lithuania.”
The EU country’s Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė said Russia was acting like a “terrorist state” in a post on her Facebook page.
“This incident once again shows that Russia is behaving like a terrorist state, disregarding international law and the security of neighbouring countries,” she said.
“However, such actions will not affect us – Lithuania remains strong, united and ready to defend itself.”
The Kremlin significantly beefed up its military forces in Kaliningrad in 2021, sending troops, missiles, warships and armoured vehicles to the enclave.
There are a number of airbases situated there, with squadrons equipped with a mix of Su-30SM, Su-24, and Su-27 jets. The enclave is also the home base of Russia’s Baltic Sea Fleet.
Among the stockpile of weapons in the enclave, are nuclear-capable Iskandr missiles and the anti-ship Bastion-P missile system, featuring Oniks P-800 rockets.
In August of this year, Lithuania installed tank-stopping “dragon’s teeth” concrete blocks on its border with Kaliningrad.