**Russian-Made Drone Found in Lithuania with Explosive Payload**
A Russian-made drone, identified as a Gerbera, has been found in Lithuania with a significant amount of explosives on board. The incident occurred at the Gaiziunai training ground in the central Jonava district on August 1.
According to officials, the drone was initially unidentified and triggered a days-long search operation before being discovered. Once found, it was quickly neutralized by authorities, who reported that the explosive device had been “neutralized at the scene.” Forensic analysis is now underway on parts of the drone.
The explosive payload, approximately 2 kilograms (4.4 pounds) in weight, is significantly less than the typical capacity of a Gerbera drone, which can carry up to 50 kilograms (110.2 pounds). This has led investigators to believe that the drone may have entered Lithuanian airspace accidentally after being disoriented by Ukrainian defense systems.
**Lithuania Requests Urgent Reinforcement from NATO**
Defense Minister Dovile Sakaliene and Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys have notified NATO of the incident and requested urgent reinforcement of air defenses to prevent similar breaches. In response, the Lithuanian military has announced plans to strengthen air defenses along the country’s border with Belarus.
Sakaliene also warned that similar incidents could occur during upcoming joint Russian-Belarusian military exercises scheduled for later this year. This is not an isolated incident, as airspace violations have occurred in Lithuania and other Baltic countries before. In September last year, a Russian drone crashed in neighboring Latvia, carrying an armed warhead.
**A Pattern of Incidents**
Similar incidents have also been reported in other Eastern European countries, including Poland, Moldova, and Romania, where Russian drones or missiles have strayed into their territory during attacks on Ukraine. This raises concerns about the potential for more such incidents in the future, particularly with joint military exercises planned for later this year.
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