🔗 Share this article

The Baltic nation plans to shoot down balloons used to smuggle illicit goods from Belarus, government officials confirmed.

The measure comes after foreign objects crossing the border necessitated airport closures repeatedly in recent days, affecting holiday travel, accompanied by temporary closures of Belarus border crossings temporarily each time.

International border access continues restricted in response to the helium weather balloons.

The government leader stated, "we are ready to take maximum response protocols during unauthorized aerial intrusions."

Government Response

Detailing the measures during a briefing, officials stated defense units were executing "every required action" to intercept unauthorized devices.

Concerning border measures, the Prime Minister confirmed diplomatic movement continues between the two countries, with special provisions for EU and Lithuanian nationals, however general movement continues suspended.

"Through these actions, we communicate to Belarus and saying that no hybrid attack will be tolerated within our territory, and we'll implement maximum countermeasures to halt these operations," she said.

Official communications saw no quick answer from Minsk officials.

International Consultation

The Baltic nation intends to coordinate with partners about the security challenges presented and may discuss activating the NATO consultation clause - a request for consultation by a Nato member country about national security issues, particularly involving territorial protection - officials noted.

Airport Disruptions

Aviation hubs faced multiple shutdowns over the weekend because of aerial devices originating from neighboring territory, disrupting air transport and passenger movement, per transportation authority data.

In recent weeks, several unauthorized objects traversed the border, causing dozens of flight disruptions impacting thousands, per national security agency reports.

The phenomenon is not new: by autumn measurements, 544 balloons were recorded entering Lithuania across the frontier in recent months, an NCMC spokesman said, with nearly thousand incidents during previous year.

Regional Situation

Other European airports - covering northern and central European sites - faced comparable aviation security challenges, including drone sightings, during current period.