Russia reacts after NATO says its fighter jets violated airspace

Russia has dismissed accusations by NATO member Lithuania that its aircraft violated its airspace. 

Lithuania said that at around 6 p.m. Thursday, a Russian Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jet and an Ilyushin Il-78 refueling tanker flew around 700 meters into its airspace from Russia’s neighboring Kaliningrad region for 18 seconds before turning back. 

The incident prompted NATO to scramble Spanish Typhoon Eurofighter Typhoon jets in the area. Lithuania’s president Gitanas Nausėda said it was “a blatant breach of international law.”

However, Russia’s MoD said its Su-30 aircraft made planned training flights over Russia’s Kaliningrad region, but “did not violate the borders of other states.”

It comes weeks after Estonia accused Russia of sending its aircraft into its airspace, and amid concerns from NATO’s eastern flank about Moscow’s aircraft and drone incursions. 

This is a developing story. More to follow.