airspace incident: Lithuanian airspace; airports closed (2026-05-20)

What happened

Lithuania issued a "red" air warning after a drone violated its airspace, the first of its kind since the restoration of the Lithuanian state. Air traffic in Vilnius, rail services in the capital and the opening of shops were suspended, and residents in part of the country were told through the alert system to take shelter. Attempts by NATO aircraft to shoot the drone down failed.

Responsibility and limits of the evidence

not assessed

Nobody has yet assessed responsibility for this record. Not assessed is not the same as not established.

Impact

killed

not established

injured

not established

damage

not established

Sources

1. Naruszenia przestrzeni powietrznej nieobjętej działaniami wojennymi podczas wojny rosyjsko-ukraińskiej

   pl.wikipedia.org / secondary source

   supports: the record, the disruption

2. Violations of non-combatant airspace during the Russo-Ukrainian war (2022-present)

   en.wikipedia.org / secondary source

   supports: the record, the disruption