By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Lithuanian Defense Minister Dovilė Šakalienė has urged NATO to adopt a more assertive stance against Russian airspace violations, specifically suggesting the downing of military targets that cross NATO borders. This call came after three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets breached Estonian airspace near Vaindloo island for about 12 minutes, prompting a formal protest from the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Estonia had also initiated consultations under NATO’s Article 4, with Prime Minister Kristen Michal calling the violation “absolutely unacceptable,” while Russia claims the flight was part of a scheduled operation. Šakalienė referenced Turkey’s 2015 downing of a Russian aircraft as a precedent for decisive action.
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Lithuania Calls for NATO to “Mean Business” After Russian Jets Breach Airspace. So, let’s dive right into this, shall we? The crux of the matter is that Lithuania, understandably, is not thrilled about Russian jets buzzing around their airspace. And their Defense Minister, Dovilė Šakalienė, is making it crystal clear: it’s time for NATO to get serious. She’s essentially saying, “Enough is enough. Let’s actually *do* something.”
It’s not just a matter of hurt feelings or a bruised sense of sovereignty. This is about sending a clear message to Russia. Right now, the feeling is that Russia is probing, testing the boundaries, seeing how far they can push things. It’s a sort of hybrid warfare, where they use these airspace incursions to gauge reactions and, perhaps, to erode confidence in NATO’s resolve. The underlying worry is that Russia might be considering a more aggressive move in the not-so-distant future.
This isn’t some hypothetical scenario, either. It’s a tangible threat. The concern is heightened by the fact that Europe is beginning to rearm, but the next few years might be a pivotal time for Russia, should it consider a more direct confrontation. The implication is clear: now is the time to stand firm.
The Estonian incident, and now the Lithuanian situation, are prime examples of this need for a more robust response. The current response seems to be a shrug and a diplomatic note. Lithuania is suggesting that NATO needs to establish a “zone of denial”, make it clear to Russia, and then back it up by shooting down anything that violates it.
Now, the idea of shooting down Russian jets entering NATO airspace, especially in a situation like this, is bound to raise eyebrows. It’s a provocative move, to be sure. But the core argument here is that the current lack of action is, in itself, a form of weakness. Lithuania is suggesting that NATO might inadvertently be encouraging further aggression.
There’s a lot of discussion about how to respond, and a range of suggestions are offered, from the drastic to the…well, less drastic. One idea, perhaps facetious, suggests “accidentally” helping Ukraine by shooting down anything heading the wrong way. It highlights the sentiment that if NATO doesn’t act, they might come to regret it.
The suggestion of “accidentally” providing support to Ukraine through means that would be seen as offensive is a way of highlighting the limited current response, which can appear weak. There is a strong feeling that Russia is in a vulnerable position, its economy strained, and its military resources depleted. This would be a good time to assert NATO’s dominance.
And that’s what it all boils down to: deterrence. NATO needs to show Russia that it is serious about protecting its airspace. That it’s willing to back up its words with actions. The example of Turkey shooting down a Russian jet a decade ago serves as a historical precedent, a reminder that such actions aren’t unprecedented.
Of course, there are risks involved in escalating the situation. One does not simply engage in aerial combat without consequences. However, the cost of inaction may prove greater. The suggestion is that the best way to avoid a larger conflict is to make it very, very clear that any aggression against a NATO member state will not be tolerated.
Ultimately, Lithuania’s call for NATO to “mean business” isn’t just about shooting down jets. It’s about reinforcing the credibility of the alliance, deterring further Russian aggression, and reassuring its own citizens that NATO is willing to stand by its commitments. It’s about establishing a new reality, where violations of airspace are met with an unequivocal response, rather than a shrug of the shoulders. And it’s a conversation that needs to happen now, before a minor incident escalates into something more serious.