NATO fighters shoot down drone in Lithuania, Russian frigate launches rockets at Danish helicopter

NATO fighters shot down a drone over Lithuania during the night, President Nauseda announced, speaking of an "intensification of Russian aggression against Ukraine".

But the new tensions between Russia and Europe/Nato did not end here. In fact, a Russian frigate launched two flares towards a Danish military helicopter in international waters, off the coast of Denmark, narrowly missing the aircraft. The army of the Nordic country, a member of NATO, made this known in a statement, as reported by the Copenhagen Post. The helicopter was carrying out a routine mission to photograph the Russian ship, the Danish Defense Command said. Copenhagen will summon the Russian ambassador to discuss the incident.

Meanwhile, Trump announces a stop to raids on refineries between Moscow and Kiev, an agreement which, however, does not yet appear to be concluded. Zelensky says he is ready for "de-escalation measures" if Putin does the same. Meloni receives the President of the European Council Costa today.

"Late yesterday evening, two Eurofighter F-2000 fighters of the Air Force 'Baltic Thunder III' Air Task Force took off in scramble mode as part of the NATO air defense mission on the eastern flank of the Alliance, following the violation of Lithuanian airspace by a drone. The Italian crews intercepted the unmanned aircraft, neutralizing it in compliance with the operational procedures established by the Alliance. This is the second episode, within a month, which sees our fighters were involved." The Ministry of Defense confirmed this on X. "It is also due to episodes like this - writes Minister Guido Crosetto - that the presence of our military on the Eastern Flank is fundamental, to guarantee collective security. Today, I will be there at their side to bring the closeness of the government and Italy and thank them, on behalf of the Italians, for the precious work they carry out". The minister, after yesterday's visit to Bulgaria, continues his mission on the Eastern Flank of the Alliance today, with stops in Poland, Latvia and Lithuania, where he will have several institutional meetings and visit the Italian contingents.

"Our line does not change. From the beginning we have said that we must support by every means the right to defend themselves of the Ukrainian people barbarically attacked by Putin. And we have always remained consistent, voting in favor of military aid, just as the M5S also did during the Draghi government". Senator Alessandro Alfieri, head of Reforms of the Democratic Party, said this in an interview with Repubblica. For Alfieri, on the topic, "it is a mistake to say a priori that there is no desire to find a synthesis, especially at a time when Putin is intensifying the bombing of defenseless civilians and Kiev's energy infrastructure". On support for Ukraine, therefore, "no ambiguity is possible: every support must be given to Kiev, even military, even the 5 Stars can get there". When asked if the M5s will not subscribe to this line, "you will break the alliance or bite the bullet in order to run together in the elections against Meloni", Alfieri responded thus: "Neither one nor the other, we work patiently to reconcile the different sensitivities". In conclusion, the Democratic senator said that he is certain, "knowing Conte's pragmatism in his years in government, that we will reach an agreement". "President Conte - he adds - is too shrewd not to know that it is always necessary to combine election campaign promises with respect for the international obligations assumed by Italy in the multilateral bodies of which it is part".

The Russians interfere with German politics "with disinformation" and "through personal contacts. In Germany it is normal for leading members of the AfD to travel regularly to Moscow, even today". And the "message we are trying to get across is that we give all this money to Kiev, but in the meantime we dismantle pensions or healthcare. The Russians have been pushing in this direction for years." Political scientist Carlo Masala claims this in an interview with Corriere della Sera. After the AfD's triumph in Saxony-Anhalt, for Masala, "Merz has lost control of the party and they are on the brink of explosion." This, in his opinion, does not change Putin's calculations on the timing of possible negotiations with Ukraine: "The Russians use the far right, and not only from 2022, to shape the climate in Germany," says the political scientist, underlining that "the key country is Germany, because it is the one that helps Ukraine the most. If there were a change in Berlin, many countries would essentially stop hiding behind Germany's back." In conclusion, Masala said he does not see "the AfD becoming part of the government at the national level in Germany. It will strengthen itself, without entering a government. But yes, the future of the European Union is in danger, it is obvious. All these forces are not simply Eurosceptic: they are anti-European Union", he said also referring to Marine Le Pen.

The firing of two flares from a Russian frigate at a Danish military helicopter yesterday in the Baltic shows that Moscow has "exceeded the limits". Copenhagen Defense Minister Jeppe Bruus declared this in Ritzau. "It's a serious matter. It demonstrates - as it has never happened before - that the limits have been exceeded in relation to the risk appetite of the Russian side, the minister said. Bruus called the conduct of the Russian naval vessels "very unprofessional" "because there are many opportunities for contact, if desired".

Yesterday in the Baltic Sea a Russian frigate fired two flares in the direction of a Fennec helicopter of the Danish armed forces. This was reported by a press release from the Ministry of Defense in Copenhagen. The helicopter was not hit and its crew was unharmed, the statement added. The two flares were fired while the helicopter was taking what it called "routine" photography of the frigate, which was in international waters off Gedser on the Danish Baltic coast, state broadcaster Dr reports. A flare passed very close to the helicopter, the ministry added. The aircraft moved after launch and was not damaged. The Danish Foreign Ministry summoned the Russian ambassador following the incident, Defense Minister Jeppe Bruus explained to Ritzau. Flares are pyrotechnic devices generally used as a warning signal at sea.

The drone that entered Lithuania during the night coming from Belarus was shot down by Italian NATO fighters. The Lithuanian Armed Forces reported it, adding that the remains of the unmanned aircraft have been found. According to reports from the military, an object moving towards Lithuania was spotted in the airspace around midnight. After identification, allied planes took off. At approximately 00.20, the identified drone was shot down by allied fighters from Italy, which took off from the Šiauliai air base.

Lithuanian police and military officers are present at the scene of the accident. Specialists are collecting the wreckage to determine the type of drone and its purpose. "We need to assess the situation, collect the debris and determine what type of object it was and what its purpose was. The wreckage does not yet allow us to establish whether it was a combat drone,” said Vilmantas Vitkauskas, head of the National Center for Crisis Management.

It is not yet known whether the drone was carrying explosives. Previously, Lithuanian authorities reported that the drone entered Lithuanian territory from Belarus, then headed westward through the Lentvaris region and Trakai district. According to initial information, no one was injured in the accident.