On Wednesday shortly before 10:30 a.m., a Ukrainian drone triggered a major operation in Vilnius, Lithuania. Authorities sent an alert to all mobile phones: “Drone alert! Immediately seek shelter in a safe place and take care of your family members.” Numerous residents fled to basements and underground garages; Gitanas Nausėda and parliament members also retreated to shelters. The airport suspended operations, train traffic was halted, and the train station was evacuated.
Ukraine accuses Russia of deliberately redirecting the drone to unsettle NATO states. Moscow responded immediately with threats. Experts warn of psychological warfare aimed at destabilizing the Baltic states. However, concrete signs of a Russian attack are still lacking.
The incidents reveal a vulnerability in European defense: air defense on NATO’s eastern flank is insufficiently equipped against drones. Security experts are calling for an effective anti-drone strategy to prevent such incidents in the future. The Baltic states have already stepped up their airspace surveillance.
EuroPulse reported on May 23, 2026, about Sweden’s support for Ukraine’s NATO membership (https://europulse.today/sweden-backs-ukraine-nato-membership/).
Source: www.zeit.de
