Flights at Lithuania’s main airport have faced significant disruptions over two consecutive nights due to suspected sightings of balloons linked to cigarette smuggling operations originating from Belarus. The incidents prompted immediate action from authorities, who plan to discuss potential measures on Monday, following the latest occurrences.
Flight Disruptions and Cancellations
On Saturday, air traffic at Vilnius Airport was suspended at 21:35 local time, with operations resuming at 03:30 on Sunday. This led to the cancellation of four flights and the diversion of seven others. Similarly, a suspension on Friday night affected both Vilnius and Kaunas Airport, resulting in a total of ten flight cancellations and four diversions. These incidents follow earlier disruptions, including one early on Wednesday morning.
In response to the balloon sightings, Lithuania’s two primary border crossings with Belarus, located at Medininkai and Šalčininkai, were closed for several hours before being reopened. The Prime Minister of Lithuania, Inga Ruginienė, has indicated that the government may need to consider longer-term border closures with Belarus if these activities continue.
Government Response and Security Measures
Ruginienė has convened a meeting of Lithuania’s National Security Commission set for Monday to evaluate potential responses. The government emphasized that actions disrupting strategic facilities, such as airports, will prompt a strict reaction. Warnings have been issued to Belarus regarding these activities.
The head of Lithuania’s border guard stated last week during an interview with public broadcaster LRT that since the first sightings of smuggling balloons in 2023, there has been no evidence of these balloons being used for anything other than the transport of illegal cigarettes. The government is considering implementing tougher penalties for smugglers to deter future incidents.
As a member of both the European Union and NATO, Lithuania occupies a critical position on the eastern flank of the Western alliance, sharing borders with both Russia’s Kaliningrad exclave and Belarus, a country allied with Russia. The ongoing balloon incidents highlight the challenges Lithuania faces in maintaining security at its borders.
Authorities will continue to monitor the situation closely, with further measures expected to be discussed in the coming days. The recent disruptions have raised concerns about the implications of such smuggling activities on national security and public safety.
