Belarus-Made Drone Crashes in Lithuania, Triggers High-Level Shelter Alerts

On July 10, a homemade drone-like aircraft made from plywood and foam crossed into Lithuanian airspace from Belarus and crashed near the border, prompting temporary shelter orders for Lithuanian Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas and Speaker of Parliament Saulius Skvernelis. Initially mistaken for a Russian Shahed or Geran drone, the object was later identified as a decoy or glider with no explosive threat or cargo. Lithuanian authorities and NATO jets responded quickly, with investigations ongoing to determine the drone's purpose and origin. The incident highlights ongoing airspace violations and smuggling attempts from Belarus into Lithuania, with such devices frequently used for contraband transport. The event raised concerns about regional security amid heightened tensions following Russian drone and missile activity near NATO's eastern borders. Lithuanian defense officials emphasized cooperation with NATO to monitor these incursions and prevent escalation.