A man was detained near Vilnius International Airport after launching a drone in a restricted airspace, according to the Lithuanian security service. The drone flight occurred just outside the airport’s boundary and prompted a rapid response by special operations officers, but no flight disruptions were reported this time.
Drone launched from restricted zone near Vilnius airport
Lithuania’s Public Safety Service, the Viešojo saugumo tarnyba (VST), reported the incident on 15 November. According to its Facebook statement, the Fly Safe system recorded an unauthorized drone launch at 12:00 p.m. near Dusinėnai Street in the Salininkai area of Vilnius. The location is within a prohibited flight zone that surrounds the city’s international airport.
Although the drone disappeared from radar shortly after launch, VST officers quickly identified the location and detained the operator at 12:07 p.m. The officers were part of the service’s Special Task Group. The security service coordinated its response with Lithuania’s Police Department and the national air navigation service.
Authorities confirmed that no flights were suspended during the incident. The detained man was later transferred to the Lithuanian Military Police, and administrative proceedings were launched against him.
Operator claims ignorance, faces fine
The Lithuanian security service stated that the suspect told officers he believed drone flights were allowed in that area. However, the service emphasized that “not knowing the rules does not exempt from responsibility.”
Under Lithuania’s Administrative Offenses Code, the operator may face a fine ranging from €400 to €800.
Part of broader pattern of airspace violations
In Lithuania, Vilnius International Airport experienced several disruptions in recent weeks. On 27 October, the airport was temporarily closed because of air balloons drifting from Belarus—Russia's close ally. A similar closure occurred overnight of 25–26 October, resulting in delayed and canceled flights. On 30 October, balloon activity again forced the suspension of operations at the capital’s airport for several hours.
In response, Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė convened a meeting of the National Security Commission. As a result, the government approved the closure of two border crossings with Belarus — Šalčininkai and Medininkai — until 30 November 2025. Exceptions were introduced for certain categories of travelers.
