Vilnius, Oct 24 (NationPress) Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda has announced that Russian aircraft have intruded into the airspace of NATO ally Lithuania.

On Thursday night, he asserted that these planes -- a fighter jet and a transport aircraft -- originated from the Kaliningrad region located in the southwest.

This constitutes a serious violation of international law and Lithuania's territorial integrity, and we must respond accordingly, Nauseda stated in a video shared on X.

In contrast, Russia has refuted the claims of airspace violation by its military aircraft.

The Russian Defense Ministry clarified that Su-30 fighter jets were engaged in routine training exercises within the Kaliningrad area and did not stray from their designated flight paths.

These flights were executed in full compliance with the Airspace Usage Rules over the Russian Federation's territory, the Ministry asserted.

Lithuania's military indicated that the planes may have been involved in refueling operations when they briefly entered the airspace for approximately 700 meters and left after about 18 seconds.

In response, two Spanish Air Force fighter jets, part of a NATO air policing initiative, were dispatched to the area and are currently performing air surveillance, according to a statement from Lithuania's military.

Subsequently, Lithuania's Foreign Ministry summoned the Russian Charge d'Affaires to express its protest regarding the alleged breach.

This incident underscores the critical need to enhance European air defense readiness, President Nauseda remarked on X.

Just last month, NATO reported intercepting three Russian jets that had breached Estonia's airspace.

At that time, the Russian Defense Ministry denied these allegations, maintaining that its flights adhered strictly to international regulations.

The Baltic states have become increasingly anxious about Russia's maneuvers in light of its ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

A series of recent drone incidents and airspace infringements by Russian military aircraft have intensified concerns that President Vladimir Putin might be testing NATO's defensive capabilities.

Several European leaders have accused Moscow of engaging in hybrid warfare, although the Kremlin has denied such assertions.

Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene also condemned the incursion, labeling it as another act of Russian intimidation.

This event illustrates once more that Russia behaves like a terrorist state, flouting international law and jeopardizing the security of its neighbors, Ruginiene posted on Facebook, while emphasizing Lithuania's security through its NATO alliance.

Meanwhile, tensions between the US and Russia remain high as the conflict in Ukraine persists.

US President Donald Trump has expressed growing frustration with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, as efforts to resolve the conflict stall.

On Tuesday, Russian drones and missiles targeted various locations across Ukraine, resulting in the deaths of at least six individuals, including a woman and her two young daughters.

Hopefully, he'll come to his senses, Trump remarked about Putin during comments at the White House on Wednesday alongside NATO Chief Mark Rutte, shortly after the US announced renewed sanctions on Russian oil aimed at pressuring Moscow.