🔗 Share this article

Authorities have decided to intercept and destroy balloons used to smuggle cigarettes from neighbouring Belarus, its prime minister has warned.

The measure comes after unauthorized aerial incursions forced Vilnius Airport to close multiple times over the past week, affecting holiday travel, accompanied by temporary closures of cross-border movement during each incident.

Border checkpoints will now be closed indefinitely in response to the helium weather balloons.

Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene said, "our nation stands prepared to implement even the most severe actions during unauthorized aerial intrusions."

Official Measures

Announcing the actions at a press conference, Ruginiene said the army was taking "every required action" to eliminate aerial threats.

Concerning border measures, officials noted embassy personnel maintain access between the two countries, with special provisions for EU and Lithuanian nationals, though all other travel remains prohibited.

"In this way, we are sending a signal to Belarus declaring that unconventional threats won't be accepted across our nation, employing comprehensive defensive actions to stop such attacks," the Prime Minister emphasized.

Official communications saw no quick answer from Belarus.

Diplomatic Measures

Lithuania plans to consult its allies about the security challenges presented and may discuss activating the alliance's consultation mechanism - a protocol allowing member state consultation regarding security matters, specifically concerning defense matters - she added.

Flight Cancellations

Aviation hubs faced multiple shutdowns at the weekend due to weather balloons from Belarus, affecting 112 flights and more than 16,500 passengers, based on regional media reports.

Earlier this month, multiple aerial devices crossed into Lithuanian airspace, leading to 30 flight cancellations affecting 6,000 passengers, per national security agency reports.

The phenomenon is not new: by autumn measurements, hundreds of aerial devices documented crossing borders across the frontier in recent months, according to official statements, compared to higher numbers in prior period.

Regional Situation

International air travel hubs - covering northern and central European sites - have also been affected by air incursions, with unauthorized drone observations, over past months.