The two aircraft, an Su-30 fighter jet and an Il-78 refuelling tanker, made an about 18-second incursion into Lithuanian airspace from Russia’s Kaliningrad region, Polish state news agency PAP reported.
The planes were possibly conducting a refuelling training mission, the Lithuanian military said.
“This shows that vigilance is needed at all times, that Russia is in no way calming down or retreating,” Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz told private broadcaster TVN24.
"Every such violation, whether intentional or not, requires a response," he said.
Lithuania summoned Russia’s top diplomat in Vilnius to lodge a formal protest and notified NATO, the European Union and the North Atlantic Council of the incident, the Reuters news agency reported, citing the Lithuanian foreign ministry.
Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė wrote on Facebook that the breach “once again shows that Russia is behaving like a terrorist state, disregarding international law and the security of neighbouring countries.”
“However, such actions will not affect us - Lithuania remains strong, united and ready to defend itself," she added. "... Lithuania is safe. Together with our allies, we will protect and defend every inch of our country."
Two Spanish Air Force fighter jets carrying out a NATO air policing mission were scrambled in response to the breach, according to Ruginienė
On September 19, three Russian military jets violated Estonia’s airspace for 12 minutes, prompting NATO fighters to intercept and escort them out, Reuters reported.
On September 10, more than 20 Russian drones violated Polish airspace, some of which were shot down by NATO aircraft—the first time an alliance member had fired on Russian targets since the start of the war in Ukraine.
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Source: Reuters, IAR, PAP, TVN24