NATO scrambles fighter jets as Russian drone reportedly heads for Lithuania

NATO scrambled fighter jets after reports said a Russian drone was headed for Lithuania. Flights were suspended at Vilnius Airport, and the Lithuanian National Crisis Management Centre issued a yellow alert for potential drone hazards in Vilnius, Trakai and Elektrenai districts. The air alert was lifted and the airport reopened within 38 minutes after a jet spotted the birds, according to the crisis centre. It said initial radar readings can make marks left by birds and drones appear similar. The jet was dispatched from Šiauliai in northern Lithuania, where the Italian air force is based for the NATO Baltic Air Defence mission. The article also cites previous drone incidents involving NATO in Romania and Latvia and Russian denials of related airspace violations.