Ukraine-Russia war latest: Putin considering ‘false flag’ strike on Baltics, says Lithuania

Lithuania fears that Vladimir Putin may be planning a ‘false flag’ strike on the Baltics, following a spate of recent drone incursions along Europe’s eastern frontier. Defence minister Robertas Kaunas said on Thursday that his country believes that Russia is considering using Ukrainian-made drones to stage provocations against the region. “Lithuanian intelligence is working, we are collecting information and seeing it,” he told reporters in Vilnius, adding that critical infrastructure had been strengthened to safeguard against an attack. He said the Lithuanian military and all security institutions were monitoring the situation, but reassured that there was no singular “direct threat” at present. The announcement came as Germany launched a counter-terrorism probe into the discovery of an explosive-laden drone found near a runway at Leipzig/Halle airport this week. Interior minister Alexander Dobrindt said that the drone represented “a new quality of threat” but that due to the nature of hybrid attacks, the device was hard to trace. While the minister did not directly blame Russia for the incident, according to Bild the drone was found close to a Ukrainian Antonov cargo plane.Ukrainian plane in Leipzig was carrying ammunition - SZ The Ukrainian plane near the recovered explosive-laden drone at Leipzig/Halle airport this week was carrying ammunition at the time. That development comes according to Germany’s SZ newspaper. James Reynolds6 August 2026 11:46In pictures: Aftermath of the Russian drone attack in Balakliia James Reynolds6 August 2026 11:45Two killed, five injured in Ukrainian drone attack, says Russian governor The regional governor in Russia’s Bryansk reports that two people were killed and five injured in a Ukrainian drone attack. James Reynolds6 August 2026 11:44Russian sunflower oil maker suspends Black Sea exports following Ukrainian attack Russia, the world's largest wheat exporter, and Ukraine, also a major agricultural exporter, have intensified attacks on each other's agricultural export facilities and commercial vessels in the Black Sea area in recent weeks James Reynolds6 August 2026 11:15Leipzig drone incident represents 'new hybrid threat scenario', says Interior Minister Interior minister Alexander Dobrindt said the explosive drone incident in Leipzig represented a ‘new threat scenario’ following an emergency meeting with the heads of Germany's security services on Wednesday night. Germany opened a counterterrorism investigation on Wednesday, but the interior minister said it was “part of the nature of hybrid threats” that it was not immediately clear from where it originated. He noted that it appeared to have been “very professionally carried out”. All speculation about the explosives, the drone, its origin, and who is behind it, is now part of the investigation, the Mr Dobrindt said. “Drone sightings and drone threats in a hybrid context are something we have known from the past, but a drone armed with explosives being present on airport grounds is a new threat scenario,” he said. James Reynolds6 August 2026 11:02Lithuania says Russia could use Ukrainian drones against Baltic region Lithuania believes Russia is considering using Ukrainian-made drones to stage provocations against the Baltic region, Lithuanian defence minister Robertas Kaunas said on Thursday. James Reynolds6 August 2026 10:47In full: How explosive drone found near runway at German airport sparked fears of another ‘hybrid’ Russian attack on Nato Most operations had resumed by Wednesday morning as one runway was reopened, but the southern strip stayed closed while analysts examined the drone and removed its detonator, according to authorities. Interior minister Alexander Dobrindt said the incident represented a ‘new threat scenario’ following an emergency meeting with the heads of Germany's security services on Wednesday night. Here’s all we know about the explosive drone incident at Leipzig airport: James Reynolds6 August 2026 10:46FBI director reveals new law enforcement ties with China and Russia FBI Director Kash Patel has forged new law enforcement partnerships with China and Russia, two authoritarian nations long considered rivals to the United States, over the past year. The initiative aims to enlist these countries as allies in the global fight against transnational crime, specifically targeting issues such as fentanyl trafficking, cyber fraud and child sexual exploitation. These collaborations have involved personnel exchanges, with Chinese law enforcement officials visiting the United States and FBI agents traveling to China to work on joint cases and share intelligence. Under these arrangements, the FBI and Chinese officers have also conducted joint raids and arrests. Read the full story: James Reynolds6 August 2026 10:15Drone with explosive device found near runway at German airport German state prosecutors have taken over an investigation after a drone carrying an explosive device was discovered at Leipzig/Halle airport. Earlier on Wednesday, authorities said a suspicious object had been found near the southern runway of the airport in eastern Germany, which serves as a major hub for logistics group DHL and Ukraine's Antonov Airlines, causing disruption and the suspension of flights. The Central Office for Extremism Saxony (ZESA) and officers from the state counter-terrorism unit have now become involved, it said, after the drone was found to be carrying an explosive device. The detonator attached to the drone has since been removed. Read the full story: James Reynolds6 August 2026 09:45 James Reynolds6 August 2026 09:15