Lithuania Calls for Unity and Decisiveness in Response to Belarusian Hybrid Air Balloon Incidents
Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruugeinė has issued a call for a unified and resolute response to recent incidents involving Belarusian helium-filled balloons that infiltrated the country’s airspace, raising serious concerns about national security and civilian aviation integrity.
Following a meeting of the National Security Council, she published a brief English statement emphasizing that these actions are part of broader hybrid threats aimed at undermining the stability of the EU and NATO.
Ruugeinė highlighted that dozens of balloons originating from Belarus drift toward major airports, disrupting civil aviation operations, which is unacceptable.
She advocates for strengthening sanctions against Russia and its ally Belarus, activating EU hybrid response teams and supporting Frontex measures to prevent further provocations.
Additionally, she stressed the importance of enhancing infrastructure protection and continuing the isolation of hostile regimes, holding them accountable for their actions.
Previously, Lithuania announced it would intercept and shoot down smuggling balloons crossing the Belarus border that violate its airspace.
The government plans to close main border crossings with Belarus, except for diplomatic and EU citizen movements, as part of comprehensive measures to counter hybrid threats and ensure national security.