Russian drone penetrated the airspace of Lithuania: likely violation of NATO borders

On July 10, Lithuania recorded the fall of the Russian drone “Herber”. The incident occurred in the morning, and law enforcement officers and military forces are now investigating the circumstances of the event.

Military journalist Sergey Sternenko reported the case in his Telegram channel.

“Herbera” is a drone made of foam and plywood. Equipped with a camcorder, antennas, and a radio modem, it can function in the conditions of active radio electronic counteraction.

Initially, this UAV was used to simulate air attacks and intelligence. However, recently, the Russian military has been increasingly converted to a shock drone. These drones were actively used in attacks on Ukraine to collect intelligence, adjust artillery lights, and distract air forces.

The probable causes of drone falls could be technical malfunctions or a change in the flight trajectory caused by the influence of Ukrainian radio electronic warfare systems. Similar cases have occurred earlier – the fall of Russian drones in Latvia, including devices with explosives on board.

At the moment, there is no confirmed information about whether the drone that fell in Lithuania was equipped with an explosive load. Lithuanian experts work at the scene, identifying the drone’s flight routes, the objectives of its launch, and the potential presence of hazardous materials. The investigation continues.

The Lithuanian Ministry of Defense emphasized that such incidents pose real risks to the Baltic countries, which share a common border with Russia and Belarus.

The appearance of the Gerber drone in the air of NATO countries is of grave concern. Experts note that they are challenging to detect, and their active use indicates a shift in tactics: Russia studies the weaknesses of its neighboring states’ air defenses.

NATO is expected to take an official position on this incident and discuss it in the context of regional security.