Lithuania and Latvia appeal to NATO to shoot down Russian drones over the Baltics

(Patria) - Lithuanian Minister of Defense Laurynas Kasčiūnas believes that NATO aircraft stationed in the Baltic countries should shoot down Russian drones in the airspace of his country and its neighbors, after a Russian drone fell in Latvia last week.

Since the three Baltic countries joined NATO in 2004, their skies have been patrolled by NATO aircraft as they do not possess fighter jets.

- NATO's Baltic Air Policing mission "should not only patrol, but also, if necessary, if possible, if the weather permits, shorten the decision-making chain at the NATO level so that aircraft can take off immediately and destroy drones - Kasčiūnas told reporters.

A Russian drone of Iranian production, Shaheed, fell in Latvia on Saturday, but did not explode. Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs said on Tuesday that his country is discussing this issue with its allies.

- We are raising the issue of drone interception protocols with our NATO partners and asking that allied fighter jets be used as soon as a drone approaches our borders - Rinkēvičs told reporters.

He assessed that the problem arises, among other things, because the aircraft receive commands from NATO, not from the local level, which slows down the procedure.

Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs Radosław Sikorski said at the beginning of the month that Warsaw should have the right to shoot down Russian missiles that threaten its territory while they are still over Ukraine.

Ukraine has also asked neighboring NATO member states to shoot down Russian missiles and drones targeting its western regions.

- Russians are increasingly targeting places near the NATO border. Shooting down these missiles would be a dignified and correct step - said the head of Ukrainian diplomacy Andrii Sybiha, calling for a joint, firm and decisive response.