Story perspectives

Vilnius Airport Reopens 38 Minutes After Drone Sighting

By Drooid · Sep 13, 2026, 2:52 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Lithuania closed Vilnius Airport and scrambled a NATO fighter jet after a drone sighting.
The jet launched from Siauliai, where Italy’s air force serves in NATO Baltic Air Defence.
A yellow-level alert covered the region at about 1:00 p.m.
Authorities lifted the alert and reopened the airport 38 minutes after closure.
Officials said the radar contact was birds, not a drone, and noted NATO eastern members’ incursions linked to Russia’s war.

History

Historical Context

In March 2004 NATO launched the Baltic Air Policing mission to protect the airspace of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania after they joined the Alliance. The mission rotates four fighter aircraft on Quick Reaction Alert from bases such as Šiauliai, with Italy’s 132º Gruppo regularly providing Eurofighter Typhoons. The recent drone alert at Vilnius Airport triggered an Italian-operated Typhoon scramble, showing the 2004 framework still active.

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Story summary

Lithuania closed Vilnius Airport and scrambled a NATO fighter jet after a drone sighting.
The jet launched from Siauliai, where Italy’s air force serves in NATO Baltic Air Defence.
A yellow-level alert covered the region at about 1:00 p.m.
Authorities lifted the alert and reopened the airport 38 minutes after closure.
Officials said the radar contact was birds, not a drone, and noted NATO eastern members’ incursions linked to Russia’s war.

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