Russia warns Lithuania over nuclear weapons deployment

Russia has warned Lithuania against allowing foreign nuclear weapons to be deployed on its territory, with Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova describing reported changes to Lithuania’s legislation as irresponsible.

Zakharova made the remarks during a press briefing on the sidelines of the International Festival of Youth 2026 in Yekaterinburg. According to the source report, she was responding to changes being considered by Lithuania’s parliament concerning the possible deployment of foreign nuclear weapons.

She said the move could contribute to what Moscow views as a broader NATO policy of increasing nuclear capabilities and pressure on Russia. Zakharova characterised the reported legislative changes as part of what she described as provocative and destabilising policies toward Russia.

She also said Moscow viewed the development of NATO’s extended nuclear deterrence capabilities as a challenge to Russia. Her comments represented the Russian government’s assessment of the issue.

Zakharova further referred to Russia’s deployment of non-strategic nuclear weapons in Belarus, describing it as part of measures Moscow considers necessary for the security and defence of the Union State between Russia and Belarus.

The Russian warning comes amid heightened security concerns involving Lithuania and the wider Baltic region. The source report says Lithuanian authorities issued a drone-related alert covering Vilnius and Kaunas, while a drone was subsequently destroyed by a NATO aircraft over the Kaunas area.

Lithuania’s parliament has separately been considering defence-related legislative changes. Official Lithuanian parliamentary records show that a defence-related bill, registered in June 2026, received approval to proceed to further consideration on September 14.

The source report does not provide a response from the Lithuanian government or NATO to Zakharova’s remarks.