Lithuania has declared its first-ever air-raid alert due to drone incursions, exposing gaps in detection and response systems. Experts emphasize urgent improvement in coordination, surveillance, and acquisition of drone defense capabilities, with potential threats increasing.

Lithuania has experienced drone incursions resulting in the country's first-ever air-raid alert. Retired Colonel Romas Žibas describes Lithuania as a near-frontline state requiring wartime-level vigilance. Defense experts highlight weaknesses in coordination between the State Border Guard Service (VSAT), the armed forces, and local authorities regarding drone detection and interception. Incidents include a drone sighting over Lithuania on Sunday that disappeared from radar and fell near Utena, with a similar event on Wednesday. Lithuania is accelerating procurement of short-range air defense systems including Giraffe radars and Piorun mobile missile systems. Latvia utilizes acoustic drone detection via a network of microphones, a system Lithuania aims to adopt. Experts warn no detection system is fully effective as drone technology evolves rapidly. Electronic jamming alone is insufficient as drones can continue flight until fuel runs out. NATO air policing forces shot down a drone over Estonia with a costly fighter jet missile strike recently. Experts advise focusing protection on strategic installations and urban centers rather than full coverage. Public warnings and coordination need improvement, as some local officials learned of drone incidents only after media reports. Lithuania's system must operate as if at wartime conditions to handle future multiple drone incursions like those seen in Ukraine. The article references multiple specific individuals, equipment, and incidents to illustrate Lithuania's growing drone threat and response gaps as of May 25, 2026.