Residents of Lithuania’s Capital Take Shelter After Drone Alarm Near Belarus Border

Residents of Vilnius were briefly ordered to take shelter on Wednesday after Lithuanian authorities detected a suspected drone intrusion near the Belarus border, triggering a large-scale security response across the capital and NATO’s eastern flank.

The Lithuanian military issued an air danger alert , warning people in Vilnius and nearby districts including Ignalina, Utena, Švenčionys and Zarasai to immediately seek shelter. The warning was later extended to the capital as the object appeared to move toward Vilnius.

Authorities confirmed that a radar signature consistent with a UAV was tracked after information from Belarus suggested possible drone movement toward Lithuanian airspace. The signal was also reported near Lentvaris before disappearing from radar.

Vilnius Airport temporarily suspended flights and closed airspace operations , while train movement in affected areas was also halted. Parliament, the Seimas, was evacuated, and President Gitanas Nausėda and Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė were moved to secure shelters .

NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission was activated as fighter jets were placed on standby, though no drone was visually confirmed over Lithuanian territory. After roughly an hour, authorities issued an all-clear , restoring normal operations.

Officials said the incident remains under investigation, with possibilities including a stray drone linked to the Russia–Ukraine conflict , electronic interference, or a false radar echo. Latvia and Estonia reported similar recent drone alerts, underscoring regional volatility.

The episode highlights growing NATO concern over cross-border drone risks amid intensified military activity around Belarus and Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.