NATO jets scramble as drone crashes in Lithuania near Latvian border

A drone triggered air alerts in Lithuania and Latvia during a Ukrainian overnight attack on St. Petersburg, prompting NATO fighter jets to scramble before the aircraft crashed near Pasvalys, Lithuania, close to the Latvian border. The drone likely entered Lithuanian airspace from Poland, according to public broadcaster LRT. Military police found wreckage in Juodžionys after an explosion was reported. Defense Minister Robertas Kaunas said radars detected it at 3:00 GMT, but poor weather prevented visual contact. Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius said sabotage must be considered and convened a National Security Commission meeting for Monday. Mobile alerts urged residents to take shelter; they were lifted after 5:00 GMT. This was the first serious incident since NATO jets downed a stray Russian drone over Lithuania on September 15.