Lithuania prepares robust response to threats from Belarus and Russia
The Baltic nation has stepped up protective measures following numerous incidents involving Belarusian air balloons that have repeatedly crossed its airspace.
The Lithuanian government announced the decision to intercept and shoot down smuggling balloons crossing the border from Belarus, aiming to prevent further violations and safeguard national security.
Recently, several such balloons intruded into Lithuanian airspace, forcing Vilnius to close its main airport temporarily and suspend border crossings with Belarus as a security precaution.
Defense Minister Inga Ruginene explained that these balloons are used by smugglers to transport tobacco and other illegal goods, directly implicating Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, in orchestrating these actions.
Lithuania has also indicated plans to restrict transit to Kaliningrad through heightened border controls to counter potential smuggling threats.
Additionally, Russian military aircraft violated Lithuanian airspace, prompting the country to scramble Eurofighter Typhoon jets for interception.
Ruginene emphasized that strict measures are the only effective response to such aggressive acts and hinted at possibly consulting NATO under Article 4, which allows member countries to request alliance discussions if territorial integrity or security is perceived to be under threat.
The Lithuanian government announced plans to close border checkpoints with Belarus, leaving open only those necessary for diplomatic missions and EU citizens, aiming to maintain regional stability amid escalating tensions.