Lithuania Closes Airports as Belarus Balloons Force Shutdowns

UPDATE: Lithuania has closed Vilnius Airport for the third consecutive night due to balloons entering its airspace from Belarus, authorities confirm. The closures are impacting approximately 47 flights from 9:42 p.m. to 4:30 a.m., highlighting an escalating air safety concern.

Officials reported that these helium-filled balloons are suspected to be linked to cigarette smuggling but pose significant risks to air traffic. Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene has unequivocally blamed the Belarusian government, led by Alexander Lukashenko, for allowing these balloons to “run wild.”

In a statement released on Sunday evening, officials explained that the decision to temporarily suspend airspace around Vilnius Airport was directly prompted by the presence of these balloons. “According to initial information, the decision regarding airspace restrictions was made due to balloons flying in the direction of Vilnius Airport,” the statement detailed.

This incident is part of a broader pattern, with Lithuania experiencing an influx of balloons from Belarus in recent weeks. The prime minister described a “large group of smuggling meteorological balloons” launched from Belarus, necessitating the closure of both Vilnius and Kaunas airports.

The situation escalated further as Lithuania announced plans to temporarily close its borders with Belarus. The Lithuanian Security Council is set to convene on Monday to discuss potential responses to the balloon incursions, a growing concern for the NATO member state.

Earlier this month, Lithuania reported that 250 balloons crossed into its territory in September alone, raising alarms about airspace violations and security threats. Local authorities indicated that this surge in balloon activity has been frequent, with officials discovering “several hundred markers” in just one night, suggesting a coordinated smuggling operation.

Authorities are urging technology companies and defense contractors to propose solutions for tracking and neutralizing these balloons, which are often equipped with GPS trackers and SIM cards to facilitate cargo tracking.

The urgency of the situation is amplified by recent reports of drone incursions over Poland and other NATO allies, prompting heightened vigilance across European airspace. Lithuania’s predicament echoes similar incidents in other regions, including South Korea, which accused North Korea of deploying balloons filled with refuse as a form of psychological warfare.

As the situation develops, officials continue to monitor the airspace closely, emphasizing the need for immediate action to protect air travel and national security. Sharing this urgent update is crucial as Lithuania grapples with these foreign incursions that threaten both safety and sovereignty.