A Soviet-made An-2 (NATO reporting name "Colt") aircraft is feared shot down after it went missing in Lithuanian airspace while it was en route from Sweden to Lithuania on Saturday.
Lithuania has been ramping up air defense efforts in response to what it alleges are airspace violations by Russian planes. The aircraft's two pilots, both of whom have over 40 years experience flying, are missing.
"I know that they were in Lithuanian airspace and were in contact with Palanga Airport, but then the signal disappeared. Maybe the plane got shot down, maybe something else," the head of Klaipeda Airlines which owns the plane told Delfi.
A Lithuanian navy helicopter has been searching for the missing craft, but was unable to find it and rescue ships have continued the search. The country has asked its neighbor Latvia for assistance.
