A NATO fighter jet took off on an emergency basis after what appeared to be a drone was detected in Lithuanian airspace. The incident led to the closure of Vilnius International Airport. After investigation, it was discovered that the alert was due to a flock of birds and not a drone.
The aircraft deployed was possibly a Eurofighter Typhoon from the Italian Air Force, which departed from Šiauliai, in northern Lithuania. Lithuania's national crisis management center informed about the emergency operation.
Vilnius International Airport remained closed during the alert period, causing disruptions to the country's air traffic. The situation was triggered by the alleged sighting of a drone in the vicinity.
