Lithuania has announced it will begin to shoot down balloons suspected of being used to smuggle cigarettes from Belarus, according to Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene. This decision follows a series of incidents where balloons entering Lithuanian airspace have caused multiple shutdowns of Vilnius Airport, disrupting flights over the past week, including during the weekend.
In response to the increased activity of these helium balloons, border checkpoints between Lithuania and Belarus will be closed indefinitely, although diplomats and certain citizens will still be allowed to cross. Ruginiene emphasized the government’s readiness to implement severe measures to protect the country’s airspace.
At a recent press conference, Ruginiene stated that the military is prepared to take “all necessary measures” regarding the balloon incursions. She emphasized that the actions are intended to send a clear message to Belarus, asserting that Lithuania will not tolerate what they deem hybrid attacks.
The situation has escalated, with Lithuania planning to consult its allies about the threats posed by these balloons and possibly discussing the activation of NATO’s Article 4, which allows member states to request consultations on security concerns.
Recent reports indicate that Lithuania’s airports faced three closures over the weekend due to these airborne incursions, affecting over 16,500 passengers and resulting in the cancellation of 112 flights. Earlier in the month, 25 balloons from Belarus led to 30 flight cancellations, impacting 6,000 travelers. Since the beginning of the year, 544 balloons have been recorded crossing into Lithuania from Belarus, compared to 966 documented in the previous year. Other European airports have also experienced disruptions due to similar airspace incursions.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp8em20q975o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss