NATO jets down drone over Lithuania as Russian ship fires flares at Danish helicopter

BREAKING: NATO fighter jets shoot down a drone that entered Lithuanian airspace, as Denmark accuses a Russian frigate of firing flares at a Danish military helicopter, sharply raising tensions on the alliance's eastern flank.

NATO jets shot down a drone over Lithuania overnight. Armed, most likely, with explosives.

Lithuanian officials say it crossed in from Belarus, spent about half an hour in their airspace, skirted populated areas, and came down near Pratkūnai, a hundred kilometres from Vilnius. Bomb-disposal teams found an explosive device on board and neutralised it. First time Lithuania has ever shot a drone out of its own sky. Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas confirmed it at a press conference in Siauliai, you can see him here.

Same day, Denmark says a Russian frigate fired flares at one of its air force helicopters over the Baltic. NATO chief Mark Rutte calls it Putin sowing fear and terror. Ursula von der Leyen says it's a pattern, Russia testing Europe's readiness and resolve.

Here's what stays with me. That drone flew armed over a NATO member for thirty minutes before anyone brought it down.

This is Liu Yang, reporting for HIT.