Lithuania Vows to Shoot Down Smuggling Balloons from Belarus
VILNIUS — Lithuania will begin shooting down balloons believed to be used for smuggling goods from neighboring Belarus, Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė warned on Monday, describing the incursions as a threat to national security, according to BBC News.
The decision follows a series of disruptions that forced Vilnius Airport to shut down multiple times over the past week after helium balloons drifted into Lithuanian airspace. Each incident prompted temporary closures of several border checkpoints with Belarus — measures that have now been extended indefinitely.
“We are ready to take even the most severe actions when our airspace is violated,” Ruginienė said at a press conference, adding that the Lithuanian army has been ordered to take “all necessary measures” to intercept and destroy the balloons.
The prime minister emphasized that diplomatic and humanitarian travel will still be allowed across the border. EU citizens and Lithuanian nationals may continue to enter from Belarus, but all other movements are suspended.
Ruginienė accused Minsk of orchestrating what she called a “hybrid attack” — using the balloons to smuggle cigarettes and test Lithuania’s air defenses. “No hybrid attack will be tolerated here,” she declared.
Lithuania is consulting its NATO allies about the situation and may consider invoking Article 4, which allows any member to request alliance consultations over security threats.
According to the National Crisis Management Centre, more than 500 balloons from Belarus have entered Lithuanian airspace this year, compared with nearly 1,000 in 2023. The latest wave caused three airport shutdowns over the weekend, affecting 112 flights and over 16,000 passengers.
Belarus has not yet responded to Lithuania’s accusations.
