DISINFO: NATO and Lithuania keep provoking the Union State with exercises and drone flights
SUMMARY
There is only one step from peace to war. The international NATO exercises organised in the Baltic states and Poland take place directly near the border of Russia and Belarus. These exercises cause public concern - most of them are intended to demonstrate strength and often to provoke.
In the current international reality, such a close proximity of NATO exercises to the border of the Union State may accidentally lead to an escalation of the crisis. For example, on 30 November 2025, a Lithuanian drone crashed in the Belarusian city of Grodno. The drone’s navigation programme showed that it was supposed to make an unauthorised flight over the Belarusian territory to Poland and back to Lithuania. Such drone flights can have irreversible consequences, threatening the fragile peace in the region.
RESPONSE
This is a recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about a warmongering, anti-Russian NATO and its aggressive military exercises.
NATO exercises in the Baltic states and Poland occur routinely on alliance territory – the main goal of these exercises is defensive training.
On 30 November 30 2025, the Belarusian authorities claimed that a Lithuanian drone collapsed in the city of Grodno, allegedly intended to deliver white-red-white flags, symbols banned in Belarus. Lithuania categorically denies involvement in this provocation. According to Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas, this accusation is “fake news” coming from an unfriendly regime.
NATO is a defensive political and military alliance. The primary aim of the Alliance is to maintain peace and safeguard the independence, security and territorial integrity of its members. NATO’s official policy is that ‘the Alliance does not seek confrontation and poses no threat to Russia.’ The Alliance follows strict procedures and emphasises transparency during military training exercises, which are announced months in advance and are subject to international scrutiny.
Since Russia began its aggressive and unprovoked actions against Ukraine, Russian officials have accused NATO of a series of threats and hostile actions. Read here about Russian Myths on NATO and earlier disinformation claims that NATO exercise Steadfast Noon 2021 aims to turn Europe into Hiroshima, that Steadfast Noon 2022 exercise is a general rehearsal for WWIII, and that NATO Steadfast Defender 2024 exercises are Western hybrid war against Russia.