Lithuania Warns: Putin Plans Drone Attack
Russia allegedly seeks to use Ukrainian drones for a provocation against NATO allies and to test the Alliance's resolve, Lithuania's defense minister has revealed.
Russia allegedly seeks to use Ukrainian drones for a provocation against NATO allies and to test the Alliance's resolve, Lithuania's defense minister has revealed.
Russia is considering unconventional attacks on critical infrastructure in the Baltic region using Ukrainian-made drones, Lithuania's Defense Minister Robertas Kaunas warned on Thursday, August 7, 2026. According to him, this is a planned false-flag operation aimed at weakening NATO's support for Ukraine.
Kaunas told The Telegraph that intelligence indicates Moscow is preparing "unconventional kinetic attacks" on infrastructure in Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. "It is highly likely that Russia could use Ukrainian-made drones," he added.
Lithuania's defense minister explained the background of the planned provocation. "We are talking about a false-flag operation, that is, the use of a fake Ukrainian drone. One of the goals is to force NATO to buckle and reduce support for Ukraine. But I assure you, that will not happen," Kaunas said.
Although Lithuanian intelligence has not yet disclosed specific dates for a possible attack, Kaunas stressed that Russia's planning process is being closely monitored. The warning comes amid heightened hybrid activities on NATO's eastern flank, including an incident last week when a Russian missile landed in a Polish field, about 80 kilometers inside the country's territory.
Experts estimate that Russia has amassed significant stockpiles of Ukrainian drones over nearly five years of warfare. These include drones that crashed in relatively good condition or were assembled from leftover parts. Meanwhile, military officials from Latvia and Estonia have recorded cases of Ukrainian drones straying into their airspace, which they attribute to powerful Russian signal-jamming systems.
Polish media outlet Onet reported in July 2026 that intelligence services in Warsaw are investigating the possibility of drone attacks on critical infrastructure, such as power plants, as well as simulated air raids that would force Poland to activate its air defense systems.
Tensions are further fueled by a recent incident at Leipzig/Halle Airport in Germany. Forensic experts there found a military-grade drone near a Ukrainian Antonov cargo aircraft loaded with ammunition for Kyiv. The device did not explode only because of a faulty detonator. Although German authorities have not officially blamed anyone, officials suspect Russia is behind this act as part of a broader sabotage campaign against NATO.
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda earlier, citing intelligence, ordered increased security around energy and transport hubs precisely because of Russian plans to attack critical infrastructure.
On the same day as the Lithuanian warning, NATO announced new initiatives on its official channels to strengthen defense industrial cooperation. The goal is to streamline procurement, increase transparency regarding capability needs, and bolster transatlantic cooperation in the defense industry.
Although this topic has no direct link to Croatia, the security situation on NATO's eastern flank and the stability of the Alliance are of vital importance to all member states, including Croatia.
