🔗 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 foreign objects crossing the border forced Vilnius Airport to close on several occasions recently, affecting holiday travel, while authorities suspended Belarus border crossings temporarily each time.

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

Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene said, "we are ready to take the strictest possible measures when our airspace is violated."

Official Measures

Detailing the measures during a briefing, Ruginiene said the army was taking "all necessary measures" to intercept unauthorized devices.

Regarding frontier restrictions, the Prime Minister confirmed diplomatic movement continues across the international border, while European Union nationals and Lithuanian residents retain entry rights, but no other movement will be allowed.

"Through these actions, we communicate to foreign authorities declaring that unconventional threats won't be accepted within our territory, and we'll implement maximum countermeasures to prevent similar incidents," she said.

There has been no immediate response from Minsk officials.

Alliance Coordination

Lithuania plans to consult its allies about the security challenges presented and may discuss activating the alliance's consultation mechanism - a provision enabling alliance discussion regarding security matters, especially related to its security - she added.

Travel Impacts

Lithuanian airports were closed three times at the weekend due to weather balloons crossing the international border, affecting 112 flights and more than 16,500 passengers, based on regional media reports.

In recent weeks, several unauthorized objects traversed the border, causing dozens of flight disruptions impacting thousands, 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 Belarus this year, per government spokesperson comments, with nearly thousand incidents during previous year.

European Context

Additional aviation facilities - such as Scandinavian and German locations - have also been affected by air incursions, with unauthorized drone observations, over past months.