Polish and Lithuanian defence ministries launch joint probe into exploding drone incident

A Ukrainian-origin drone entered Lithuanian airspace from Poland on Sunday, crashed in Juodžioniai in the northern Pasvalys district and exploded, causing damage to a vehicle. President Gitanas Nauseda, while on a visit to Poland, said a joint investigative team comprising the Lithuanian and Polish defence ministries will examine the incident. Lithuanian authorities said the drone was loaded with explosives, and Kyiv later apologized, attributing the mishap to possible Russian electronic-warfare interference.

Polish sources initially claimed the drone was launched from Lithuanian territory and never entered Polish airspace, a statement later denied by Poland’s defence ministry. The Lithuanian Armed Forces noted that Polish radars did not detect the drone. In response, Lithuania has begun talks with NATO on establishing protocols to shoot down drones without visual confirmation, and Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas highlighted plans for an integrated detection system by the end of 2027.