Russian Military Jets Briefly Violate Lithuanian NATO Airspace Near Kaliningrad

Lithuania has accused Russian military aircraft, specifically a Sukhoi SU-30 fighter jet and an Ilyushin IL-78 refueling tanker, of briefly violating its airspace near the town of Kybartai by crossing approximately 700 meters from the Kaliningrad region. The Lithuanian Armed Forces scrambled two Spanish Eurofighter jets under NATO's Baltic Air Policing mission in response, while President Gitanas Nausėda condemned the incursion as a blatant breach of international law and Lithuania's territorial integrity. Lithuania's Foreign Ministry announced plans to summon Russian diplomats to formally protest the incident, which comes amid a series of recent airspace violations and drone incursions by Russia in NATO member states, raising concerns about Moscow's intentions and testing of NATO defenses. Russia's Ministry of Defense denied the violation, claiming the aircraft were conducting a planned training flight within Russian airspace. This event underscores heightened tensions on NATO's eastern flank, prompting calls for strengthened European air defense readiness as part of broader efforts to deter Russian provocations amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The incident also highlights the Baltic states' historical concerns regarding Russian aggression and the strategic importance of maintaining regional security.