Balloon crisis in Lithuania – points out Russia

Emil Forsberg

Published 00.20

 

Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginiené has had enough of the balloons. Photo: Mindaugas Kulbis/AP

Lithuania has had enough of balloons from Belarus.

The government is now declaring a state of emergency.

Smuggled balloons loaded with Belarusian cigarettes have long flown across the border into Lithuania.

But those that have entered the airspace recently have raised concerns in the country.

The airport in the capital Vilnius has been forced to close several times due to flying objects.

Lithuania accuses Russia of conducting “psychological hybrid operations” and sending the balloons across the border to disrupt air traffic.

 

Border guards inspect a balloon used to transport cigarettes to Lithuania. Photo: AP

A state of emergency is now being declared, Prime Minister Inga Ruginiené said. The last time it happened was in February 2022, when Ukraine was invaded.

– To facilitate the work, specialists have decided that it is best to declare a state of emergency, she said.

 

Lithuania accuses Russia of conducting “psychological hybrid operations”. Photo: Alexander Kazakov/AP

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also recently threatened to impose sanctions on Belarus after the balloon intrusion.

– The situation at the border with Belarus is deteriorating, with an increasing number of intrusions by smuggling balloons flown into Lithuanian airspace, she said on Monday.

According to the Interior Ministry, 599 balloons and 197 drones have crossed Lithuanian airspace this year. 320 flights have been delayed, affecting nearly 47,000 passengers.

In October, Ruginiené promised that balloons that enter over the border would be shot down.

“This is how we send Belarus the signal that we will not tolerate any hybrid attacks,” she said at the time.

 

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen Photo: Harry Nakos/AP