🔗 Share this article

Authorities have decided to intercept and destroy helium balloons carrying cigarettes from neighbouring Belarus, the country's leader announced.

The measure comes after balloons entering Lithuanian airspace necessitated airport closures repeatedly in recent days, with weekend disruptions, with the government also closing Belarus border crossings temporarily each time.

Border checkpoints will now be closed indefinitely following repeated balloon incursions.

According to official declarations, "authorities will not hesitate to employ even the most severe actions when our airspace is violated."

National Security Actions

Detailing the measures during a briefing, Ruginiene said the army was taking "all necessary measures" to eliminate aerial threats.

About the border closure, officials noted embassy personnel maintain access across the international border, and EU citizens and Lithuanians can enter from Belarus, however general movement continues suspended.

"In this way, we are sending a signal to the neighboring nation declaring that unconventional threats won't be accepted here, and we will take all the strictest measures to stop such attacks," she said.

Authorities received no prompt reaction from Minsk officials.

Alliance Coordination

Lithuania plans to consult its allies regarding the aerial device concerns while potentially considering invocation of the NATO consultation clause - a protocol allowing member state consultation about national security issues, specifically concerning defense matters - officials noted.

Travel Impacts

Lithuanian airports were closed three times over the weekend because of aerial devices originating from neighboring territory, disrupting air transport and passenger movement, per transportation authority data.

Earlier this month, several unauthorized objects traversed the border, leading to 30 flight cancellations affecting 6,000 passengers, per national security agency reports.

This situation represents ongoing challenges: as of 6 October, 544 balloons were recorded entering Lithuania across the frontier in recent months, an NCMC spokesman said, while 966 were recorded last year.

Regional Situation

Additional aviation facilities - such as Scandinavian and German locations - faced comparable aviation security challenges, including drone sightings, during current period.