Ursula von der Leyen has travelled to Lithuania following a series of alarming drone incursions across the Baltic region, heightening fears over security on NATO’s eastern flank. Lithuania recently issued an air alert after a drone was detected near its border with Belarus, while Latvia and Estonia have also experienced incidents involving drones linked to the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. NATO aircraft have been deployed in response, and Baltic leaders have accused Russia of exploiting the incidents to spread disinformation and destabilise support for Ukraine. Von der Leyen’s visit is intended to demonstrate solidarity with the Baltic states and strengthen coordination on defence and air security. The EU is also considering new measures to improve joint defence capabilities and reinforce frontline nations amid growing concerns about regional instability and the wider threat posed by Russia’s hybrid tactics.