Lithuania has closed its border with Belarus indefinitely and authorized its military to shoot down helium balloons after repeated airspace violations, marking a significant escalation in regional tensions. Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė announced the measures on Monday, describing the incursions as hybrid threats that test the resilience of the European Union and NATO.
Over the past week, dozens of helium weather balloons from Belarus have entered Lithuanian airspace, forcing the temporary closure of Vilnius Airport on multiple occasions. These incidents disrupted 112 flights and affected more than 16,500 passengers over the weekend alone, according to Baltic News Service. The balloons are primarily used to smuggle contraband cigarettes into the EU, with Lithuanian authorities reporting 544 such incursions this year as of early October. The repeated violations have prompted urgent government action to secure national airspace and borders.
In response, Prime Minister Ruginienė stated that Lithuania’s armed forces will take “all necessary measures” to shoot down any balloons violating its airspace. She emphasized the country’s readiness to respond severely to what she called “autocrats testing our resilience.” The border closure applies to all movement except for diplomats, EU citizens, and Lithuanians returning from Belarus, effectively halting cross-border traffic and signaling a firm stance against perceived provocations.
Belarus’s foreign ministry protested the move, handing Lithuania a note of argument that it violates citizens’ rights and freedom of movement principles. It expressed support for dialogue and cooperation, but the Lithuanian government views the balloon incursions as deliberate destabilization efforts. This diplomatic friction highlights the strained relations between the two neighbors, exacerbated by broader geopolitical tensions in Eastern Europe.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemned the violations as a hybrid threat and affirmed Europe’s full solidarity with Lithuania. This incident occurs against a backdrop of heightened security concerns in the region, where NATO members have recently faced airspace breaches by Russian drones in Poland and Romania. The alliance’s “Eastern Sentry” mission aims to reinforce defenses, but the balloon incidents represent a new challenge in countering non-traditional threats.
The phenomenon of balloon incursions is not new; last year, 966 balloons were recorded entering Lithuania from Belarus. Authorities believe Belarusian smugglers are increasingly using this method to bypass border controls, leading to repeated airport closures and flight disruptions. Earlier this month, 25 balloons caused 30 flight cancellations affecting 6,000 passengers, underscoring the operational and economic impacts on aviation and border security.
Lithuania plans to consult its NATO allies on the threat, with Prime Minister Ruginienė suggesting possible activation of Article 4 for security consultations. The situation underscores the challenges of hybrid warfare in the region, with implications for EU and NATO cohesion. As tensions persist, further measures may be considered to safeguard airspace and border integrity, potentially shaping future policy responses to similar provocations.