🔗 Share this article

The Baltic nation plans to shoot down balloons used to smuggle contraband tobacco across the border, its prime minister has warned.

The measure comes after foreign objects crossing the border necessitated airport closures on several occasions recently, affecting holiday travel, while authorities suspended Belarus border crossings temporarily each time.

Frontier crossing points remain suspended indefinitely following repeated balloon incursions.

According to official declarations, "our nation stands prepared to implement maximum response protocols during unauthorized aerial intrusions."

Official Measures

Announcing the actions at a press conference, the Prime Minister confirmed military forces were implementing "all necessary measures" to eliminate aerial threats.

About the border closure, Ruginiene said diplomats will still be able to travel between the two countries, with special provisions for EU and Lithuanian nationals, though all other travel remains prohibited.

"This represents our clear message to foreign authorities declaring that unconventional threats won't be accepted across our nation, employing comprehensive defensive actions to stop such attacks," she said.

Official communications saw no quick answer from the neighboring government.

International Consultation

Lithuania plans to consult its allies about the security challenges presented with possible discussions about implementing the NATO consultation clause - a protocol allowing member state consultation regarding security matters, particularly involving territorial protection - officials noted.

Travel Impacts

National air facilities experienced triple closures during holiday periods from balloon incidents from Belarus, affecting 112 flights and more than 16,500 passengers, per transportation authority data.

In recent weeks, several unauthorized objects traversed the border, causing dozens of flight disruptions impacting thousands, according to emergency management officials.

The phenomenon is not new: as of 6 October, numerous unauthorized objects tracked entering airspace from neighboring territory during current year, an NCMC spokesman said, while 966 were recorded last year.

Regional Situation

Additional aviation facilities - including in Copenhagen and Munich - have also been affected by air incursions, with unauthorized drone observations, over past months.