On October 23, 2025, two Russian military aircraft, an Su-30 fighter jet and an Il-78 aerial refueling tanker, entered Lithuanian airspace for 18 seconds near Kybartai. Spanish NATO fighters were scrambled from Siauliai Air Base in response. Lithuania has summoned Russian diplomats regarding the incident, while Russia denies any violation. This event follows a pattern of increased Russian military activity near NATO borders.

Story Highlights

• A Russian Su-30 fighter and Il-78 tanker violated Lithuanian airspace for 18 seconds on October 23.
• Spanish NATO fighters from Siauliai Air Base immediately responded.
• Lithuania summoned Russian diplomats; Russia denies the violation.
• The incident is part of ongoing Russian military provocations testing NATO defenses.

Two Russian military aircraft crossed into Lithuanian airspace near Kybartai on October 23, 2025. The Su-30 fighter jet and Il-78 aerial refueling tanker, originating from Russia’s Kaliningrad exclave, penetrated approximately 765 meters into NATO territory for 18 seconds around 6:00 p.m. local time before returning to Russian airspace. Lithuanian military officials detected and documented the incursion.

Putin has to go! He is destabilizing the world. https://t.co/VR0a9Lq4Zx

— Robin Nichols Miller (@NicsDaughtr3134) October 24, 2025

Spanish Eurofighter Typhoon jets, part of NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission at Siauliai Air Base, responded within minutes of the violation. The interceptors were deployed to patrol the area. NATO’s Combined Air Operations Centre coordinated the response.

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda described the incident as a “breach of international law and territorial integrity.” The Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Russia’s chargé d’affaires for a formal protest. Notifications were sent to NATO and European Union allies, and the incident was discussed at the North Atlantic Council.

Russia’s Defense Ministry stated that their aircraft “did not deviate from their flight route or violate the borders of other states.” This denial is consistent with previous incidents, including a reported 12-minute Estonian airspace breach in September 2025.

This event is part of a broader pattern of Russian military actions that have increased since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Baltic airspace violations have reportedly increased, with Russian military flights frequently probing NATO defenses from the Kaliningrad exclave. The timing coincides with new U.S. sanctions on Russian oil companies.

The Baltic states are considered significant points in NATO-Russia relations due to their proximity to Kaliningrad. NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission provides air defense for Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia.

Watch the report: Nato Jets Intercept Russian Fighters After Estonia Airspace Violation | 10 News

Sources:

Two Russian military aircraft enter NATO member Lithuania’s airspace, military says
NATO fighter jets scrambled after Russian planes allegedly violate airspace