Two Russian military aircraft briefly entered Lithuanian airspace on Thursday, in an incident that has heightened tensions and sparked accusations of a deliberate provocation from Moscow.

The incursion occurred as European Union leaders were meeting in Brussels to discuss strengthening the bloc's defenses, amid growing concerns that the war in Ukraine could spill into neighboring nations.

According to a statement from the Lithuanian armed forces, an Su-30 fighter jet and an Il-78 refuelling tanker flew approximately 700 meters (0.43 miles) into Lithuanian territory around 6 p.m. local time. The military suggested the aircraft may have been conducting refuelling exercises from Russia's Kaliningrad exclave, which borders Lithuania and Poland.

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda condemned the action on social media platform X, calling it "a blatant breach of international law and territorial integrity." He confirmed that Russian embassy representatives would be summoned to answer for the "reckless and dangerous behaviour."

In response, NATO's Baltic Air Policing mission scrambled two Spanish Eurofighter Typhoon jets, which were dispatched to patrol the area.

The Russian Defence Ministry denied that any border violation took place, asserting in a statement that its aircraft "did not deviate from their route and did not violate the borders of other states."

This event is the latest in a series of recent incidents that have put NATO members in Eastern Europe on high alert. On September 19, three Russian military jets violated Estonian airspace for 12 minutes in what Tallinn described as an "unprecedented and brazen intrusion." Just days prior, on September 10, NATO jets shot down over 20 Russian drones that had entered Polish airspace—marking the first direct engagement between an alliance member and Russian forces since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The airspace breach occurred on the same day EU leaders endorsed a new defense plan, "Readiness 2030," aimed at ensuring Europe can defend itself against external attack by the end of the decade. The summit also resulted in a new package of sanctions against Russia.

Fellow Baltic leaders were quick to express solidarity with Lithuania. Polish Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz stated the incident proves that "Russia is in no way calming down or retreating," underscoring the need for continued vigilance. (ILKHA)