Russia violated Lithuanian airspace; NATO intervened!

The move that increased Europe's anxiety, which has shifted the risk of war from a low risk, came from Russia. Russian military aircraft violated Lithuania's airspace in the evening. Lithuania, a full member of the European Union, is also a NATO member state.

While armies in Europe are preparing for a potential Russian attack, the likelihood of war has been reduced from a low risk in recent weeks. In the evening, as tensions in Europe escalated, President Gitanas Nauseda announced Russia's violation of Lithuanian airspace.

Stating that Russian military aircraft violated Lithuania's airspace, Lithuanian President Nauseda shared the following on his US-based social media account, X: "This evening, Russian military aircraft violated Lithuania's airspace. This is a clear violation of international law and Lithuania's territorial integrity."

Emphasizing the need for Europe to strengthen its air defense preparedness, Nauseda announced that the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs would summon representatives from the Russian Embassy in Vilnius. The Lithuanian Ministry of Defense also announced that Russian Su-30 and Il-78 refueling aircraft entered Lithuanian airspace for 700 meters and departed after 18 seconds.

The statement, which noted that two Spanish Eurofighter Typhoon warplanes went to the scene and assumed NATO patrol duties, included the statement, "Every inch of Lithuania is protected and will be defended if necessary. The events have once again exposed the reality in our region. We must constantly strengthen our defensive capabilities." It was also stated that Russian aircraft or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) had previously violated the airspace of Estonia, Poland, and Romania.

Following Germany and Sweden, which have reduced the risk of war from a low risk, France has also recently called for war preparations. Germany, which has reduced the risk of war from a low risk, has called on its citizens to stockpile food and basic necessities for ten days. Germany, for the first time in 35 years, has prepared its citizens for the possibility of war under the title "Preparedness for Crisis and Disasters," stating that "We are now at the target," while Sweden announced the need to switch to war mode. French Chief of the General Staff Fabien Mandon, indicating that Russia may be inclined to continue the war on the European continent, reported that he has instructed the army to be prepared for such a "shock" for 3-4 years. Meanwhile, while countries like France, Germany, and Poland are equipping their armies against a possible war, compulsory military service is again on the agenda in Germany.

Another European country, Swedish Defense Minister Pal Jonson, stated in a statement the other day that Russia's aggression against Ukraine and the West has turned the region into the front line of a hybrid war, saying, "We must switch to war mode to resolutely defend peace."