Lithuania plans to shoot down smugglers’ balloons from Belarus, responding to repeated airspace violations it calls hybrid attacks.
Lithuania will start shooting down smugglers’ balloons from Belarus if they violate Lithuanian airspace, Prime Minister Inga Ruginiené announced on Monday. Smugglers’ balloons have repeatedly violated Lithuanian airspace for a long time, with the latest incident taking place over the weekend. TASR took the report from the Reuters agency.
“Today we decided to take the strictest measures, there is no other option,” said Ruginiené at the press conference. She added that her government may also discuss the application of security consultations under Article 4 of the North Atlantic Treaty.
Measures at airports
Lithuania closed the airport in the capital Vilnius four times last week because balloons entered its airspace. It also temporarily closed its border crossings with Belarus.
The news website LTR reported that, according to Lithuania, the balloons are being sent over its territory by smugglers with a load of cigarettes. Vilnius also accuses Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko of not taking action against this practice.
Hybrid attacks
Ruginiené described the incidents as “hybrid attacks” and confirmed that Belarusian border crossings will remain closed. Diplomats and citizens of the European Union who leave Belarus will have an exception.
