Lyce · Hybrid Watch
hw_06d4dade13478228
Gerbera-type drone enters Lithuanian airspace from Belarus and is shot down by NATO fighter near Pratkūnai.
During the night of 14–15 September 2026, Lithuanian military radars detected an unidentified aerial object approaching from Belarus. Shortly after midnight, authorities issued air-danger warnings for Vilnius, Trakai and Elektrėnai and later parts of Kaunas County, while NATO air-defence aircraft were scrambled. Italian fighters operating from Šiauliai intercepted the aircraft and destroyed it in Lithuanian airspace near Pratkūnai in Kaišiadorys District; the entire interception mission lasted approximately 30 minutes. Lithuanian authorities subsequently recovered the wreckage, and explosive-disposal specialists confirmed that the drone carried an explosive charge, which was neutralised. On 16 September, President Gitanas Nausėda identified the aircraft as a Gerbera-type drone and said it was most likely Russian and probably intended for Ukraine, assessing that it had deviated from its planned route rather than deliberately targeting Lithuania
E/M/R/S scores
- EExistence0/4 · Not assessed
- MIntent0/4 · Not assessed
- RRussian actor link0/4 · Not assessed
- SRussian state responsibility0/4 · Not assessed
Facts
No facts
Sources
-
- Role
- discovery_lead
- Date
- 2026-09-16T08:35:14Z
During the night of 14–15 September 2026, Lithuanian military radars detected an unidentified aerial object approaching from Belarus. Shortly after midnight, authorities issued air-danger warnings for Vilnius, Trakai and Elektrėnai and later parts of Kaunas County, while NATO air-defence aircraft were scrambled. Italian fighters operating from Šiauliai intercepted the aircraft and destroyed it in Lithuanian airspace near Pratkūnai in Kaišiadorys District; the entire interception mission lasted approximately 30 minutes. Lithuanian authorities subsequently recovered the wreckage, and explosive-disposal specialists confirmed that the drone carried an explosive charge, which was neutralised. On 16 September, President Gitanas Nausėda identified the aircraft as a Gerbera-type drone and said it was most likely Russian and probably intended for Ukraine, assessing that it had deviated from its planned route rather than deliberately targeting Lithuania