🔗 Share this article

Lithuania will begin to intercept and destroy helium balloons carrying cigarettes from neighbouring Belarus, its prime minister has warned.

This decision follows after unauthorized aerial incursions necessitated airport closures multiple times over the past week, with weekend disruptions, accompanied by temporary closures of Belarus border crossings temporarily each time.

Frontier crossing points remain suspended indefinitely following repeated balloon incursions.

According to official declarations, "we are ready to take the strictest possible measures against airspace violations."

Official Measures

Detailing the measures during a briefing, the Prime Minister confirmed military forces were implementing "complete operational protocols" to intercept unauthorized devices.

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

"Through these actions, we communicate to Belarus declaring that unconventional threats won't be accepted within our territory, and we'll implement maximum countermeasures to halt these operations," the Prime Minister emphasized.

There has been no immediate response from the neighboring government.

International Consultation

Lithuania plans to consult its allies regarding the aerial device concerns with possible discussions about implementing the NATO consultation clause - a request for consultation by a Nato member country regarding security matters, especially related to its security - the Prime Minister concluded.

Flight Cancellations

Aviation hubs faced multiple shutdowns at the weekend due to weather balloons crossing the international border, impacting over hundred flights and thousands of travelers, per transportation authority data.

In recent weeks, multiple aerial devices crossed into Lithuanian airspace, resulting in numerous canceled flights and passenger inconveniences, Lithuania's National Crisis Management Centre told the BBC.

This situation represents ongoing challenges: as of 6 October, numerous unauthorized objects tracked entering airspace from neighboring territory during current year, according to official statements, compared to higher numbers in prior period.

International Perspective

Additional aviation facilities - including in Copenhagen and Munich - have also been affected by air incursions, including drone sightings, during current period.