Lithuania has closed its border with Belarus following “constant acts” of airspace violations, the country’s Foreign Ministry announced on Monday, as European countries put on high alert against intrusions into their skies.
In recent days, “dozens of helium balloons” have entered Lithuanian airspace from Belarus, according to Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene.
“Dictators are once again testing the resilience of the (European Union) and NATO against a hybrid threat,” he said in a post on X on Monday, calling for a “united and decisive response” to airspace violations.
Ruginyene told a news conference that his country’s military would take “all necessary measures” to shoot down the balloon, according to Reuters.
“In this way, we are once again sending a signal that we are ready and ready to take the harshest action if our airspace is violated,” she said.
Following the border closure, the Belarusian Foreign Ministry announced that it had “handed a letter of protest to Lithuania” against the move.
“This violates the rights of citizens and the principle of freedom of movement. Belarus supports dialogue and practical cooperation,” the ministry said in a post on X.
Earlier this month, dozens of small hot air balloons entered Lithuanian airspace, some carrying smuggled cigarettes, authorities said.
It was not clear where these balloons came from, but Lithuanian National Crisis Management Center (NCMC) senior adviser Darius Buta told The Associated Press at the time that Belarusian smugglers were increasingly using balloons to smuggle cigarettes into the EU.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called Monday’s violations a “multiple threat” and described them as “destabilizing” and “provocations”.
Europe stands “in full solidarity with Lithuania in the face of the continued violation of its airspace by helium smuggled balloons,” he said.
Europe has been on high alert following multiple recent incursions into NATO airspace by drones and aircraft.
The alliance has strengthened its presence in Eastern Europe and launched the mission “Sentry in the East” to counter the Russian threat.
On September 9, Poland shot down a Russian drone that violated its airspace.
The operation marked the first firing by NATO since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which began in February 2022. The military alliance condemned the Russian government’s “absolutely dangerous” actions. Russia insists it did not intentionally fly the drone into Poland, suggesting that Ukrainian electronic jamming may have caused the drone to veer off course.
Days later, a Russian drone violated Romania’s airspace, prompting Bucharest to scramble fighter jets.
NATO also intercepted three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets that violated Estonian airspace. Russia insists its warplanes have never entered NATO airspace, but the alliance says it has data to prove that claim.
European leaders vowed to increase pressure on Moscow to persuade Russian President Vladimir Putin to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine.
