Lithuanian PM: the drone that fell on 18 October was Ukrainian, carried explosives and came from the direction of Poland; Tusk demands an explanation from Kyiv
Place: Vilnius, WarsawRegion: Ukraine-wide and the front lineautomatic summary
Where the versions diverge
Russian and independent sources relay the Lithuanian prime minister's conclusions and Tusk's demand in the same way. Russian agencies, however, do not mention Kyiv's explanation that the drone may have been diverted by Russian electronic warfare, and RIA Novosti puts the word "allegedly" before the Baltic states' statements that they did not allow Ukraine to fly through. DW and The Kyiv Independent give the Ukrainian explanation, and The Kyiv Independent notes that Poland has not confirmed the drone crossed its territory. Ukrainian outlets in the selection do not cover these statements.
What Russia reports
automatic summary Interfax and TASS in English relay the words of Lithuanian Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevicius after a meeting of the National Security Commission: the drone that violated the country's airspace on 18 October was Ukrainian, carried explosives and crossed the border from the Polish side; Lithuanian radars, unlike Polish ones, recorded the moment, and the Ukrainian side confirmed it had lost contact with one of its drones. RIA Novosti adds that Lithuania will consult NATO to obtain the right to shoot down drones without visual confirmation, and writes that the Baltic states "allegedly" did not give Ukraine permission to use their airspace. The next day Interfax reported that Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk expects a full explanation from Ukraine and stressed that Poland does not allow operations over its territory without its consent, while Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said the defence ministries of Lithuania and Poland had set up a joint working group to investigate.
“Нет сомнений, что он пересек границу с польской стороны”
“Нет никаких сомнений в том, что он нес взрывчатку”
“Я распорядился начать консультации с НАТО.”
“якобы не давали разрешения Украине использовать свои территории и воздушное пространство”
“Польша не допускает проведения операций на своей территории или над нашей территорией без прямого согласия польского государства”
“министерство национальной обороны Литвы и министерство обороны Польши сформировали группу для расследования этого инцидента”
- В Литве заявили, что нарушивший воздушное пространство страны дрон был украинским — Interfax, 19 October, 14:28
- Литва запросит у НАТО разрешение сбивать дроны без подтверждения — RIA Novosti, 19 October, 22:17
- Туск рассчитывает получить от Украины объяснения по поводу залетевшего в Литву БПЛА — Interfax, 20 October, 15:42
- Литва и Польша создали совместную рабочую группу для расследования инцидента с беспилотником — Interfax, 20 October, 17:52
- Lithuania has no doubt Ukrainian UAV carrying explosives violated its airspace — PM — TASS (tass.com), 19 October, 16:53
What Ukraine reports
no reports found
What independent sources report
automatic summary DW relays the same words of Sinkevicius, citing LRT: the drone is of Ukrainian origin, as confirmed by the wreckage and the Ukrainian side's statement; fighter jets saw the object on radar but could not establish visual contact because of the weather, and the cause of the crash has not yet been established. DW recalls that Ukraine's Foreign Ministry expressed regret and attributed the incident to possible Russian electronic warfare. The Kyiv Independent reports Tusk's demand for an explanation "without emotion" and his words on the Polish state's consent to any operations, noting that Polish authorities have been unable to confirm the drone passed through Poland, and that Vilnius has echoed Kyiv's version of a drone diverted by Russian jamming during the attack on St Petersburg.
“Сегодня очевидно, что FPV-дрон, по имеющимся у нас данным, - украинского происхождения.”
“российских мер радиоэлектронной борьбы, направленных на изменение курса беспилотников во время операции против законных военных целей на территории России”
“Polish authorities have been unable to confirm whether the drone entered Poland's airspace before flying into Lithuania.”
“"Without emotion, without ill intentions."”
- В Литву залетел украинский дрон через Польшу, подтвердил премьер — DW (RU), 20 October, 01:45
- Poland to demand explanation from Ukraine over drone incident in Lithuania — Kyiv Independent, 20 October, 17:00
Confirmation
Confirmation: confirmed by independent sources
The event is reported by international or exile independent outlets and no contradictions in the facts between the groups were detected. This does not mean the independent outlets verified every detail.
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