🔗 Share this article

The Baltic nation plans to intercept and destroy helium balloons carrying illicit goods from Belarus, government officials confirmed.

This action responds after foreign objects crossing the border forced Vilnius Airport to close multiple times over the past week, with weekend disruptions, 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 the strictest possible measures when our airspace is violated."

Government Response

Announcing the actions at a press conference, Ruginiene said the army was taking "every required action" to eliminate aerial threats.

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.

"This represents our clear message to the neighboring nation stating that asymmetric operations face opposition across our nation, employing comprehensive defensive actions to halt these operations," government officials declared.

Official communications saw no quick answer from Belarus.

Diplomatic Measures

The Baltic nation intends to coordinate with partners about the security challenges presented while potentially considering invocation of Nato's Article 4 - a protocol allowing member state consultation about national security issues, particularly involving territorial protection - she added.

Travel Impacts

Lithuanian airports were closed three times at the weekend due to weather balloons crossing the international border, disrupting air transport and passenger movement, based on regional media reports.

Earlier this month, 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: by autumn measurements, 544 balloons were recorded entering Lithuania across the frontier in recent months, according to official statements, while 966 were recorded last year.

International Perspective

Additional aviation facilities - including in Copenhagen and Munich - experienced similar aerial disruptions, involving unmanned aerial vehicles, during current period.