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Two Russian military planes violated Lithuanian airspace (9)

TVNET

Latvia

Thursday, October 23


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At around 6 p.m., the Air Force recorded a violation of the state border near Ķībarti.

According to information provided by the military, a Su-30 warplane, which was probably conducting refueling exercises in the Königsberg area, and an Il-78 refueling plane flew into Lithuanian territory at a depth of approximately 700 meters and departed after staying there for approximately 18 seconds.

In response to the incident, two Spanish Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets, which carry out a NATO air patrol mission, were dispatched to the scene and are currently conducting air patrols at the scene, the military said.

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda condemned the actions of the Russian side and stated that they are a gross violation of international law. According to him, Lithuania cannot fail to react to this situation.

"We condemn Russia's actions and the incursion of military aircraft into our airspace. We see that these incidents have increased recently - not only in Lithuania. Of course, this is a gross violation of international law and our space. We cannot fail to react, and at the same time, it very well reflects the importance of the issues that we are discussing today in the EU format, and the decisions that we plan to make are certainly aimed at strengthening Lithuania's air defense," Nausėda pointed out.

According to him, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should summon representatives of the Russian mission in the near future and deliver a note of protest.

Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene assured that the situation is fully under control.

"Today, an incident was recorded when Russian military aircraft briefly violated Lithuanian airspace - they stayed there for less than 20 seconds. I want to assure you: the situation is fully under control," Ruginiene writes on her Facebook account.

"Our services acted with precision - two Spanish Air Force fighter jets, which were carrying out a NATO air patrol mission, took off, flew to the site of the violation and are currently continuing their patrol. This is another example of the successful and coordinated work of our services," she pointed out.

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