Lithuania starts NATO consultations on intercepting drones without visual contact

Lithuanian Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevicius has ordered consultations with NATO on shooting down drones that violate the country's airspace without visual confirmation of the target. He announced the move on LRT on October 19.

The prime minister said existing procedures prevent an object from being shot down if clouds or other adverse weather make it impossible to see. Lithuania wants to review those procedures, following Poland's example. Permission has not yet been granted.

The announcement followed the discovery of drone wreckage in Juodzenys village in Pasvalys district. Debris damaged a car. Ukraine acknowledged that its drone had violated Lithuanian airspace.

Sinkevicius said he expected the procedures could be reviewed through consultations with the alliance within a month.