Nato pilots summoned to 'red warning' over flying object at airport

Nato fighters were scrambled in Lithuania after an unrecognised flying object was sighted, prompting a red air warning and the temporary closure of Kaunas airport, which serves Lithuania’s second-largest city.

Residents living near the airport were told to shelter, and northern and central parts of the country were also advised to stay in shelters for about an hour as the situation unfolded.

Lithuanian authorities indicated possible drone debris was being examined near the northern village of Juodzionys after the object disappeared from radar.

Armed forces said the unmanned object may not have been shot down and could have detonated on its own; police were conducting initial investigations at the scene to determine origins and possible causes.

A yellow air warning was briefly issued in some neighbouring regions in Latvia due to a “possible threat,” while authorities noted Ukrainian drones and other incursions have raised concerns about the spillover of conflict into nearby states.

No further details on the exact aircraft type, origin, or outcome of the incident were provided in the available material.