Lithuania’s Prime Minister’s Inga Ruginiene has warned that they will begin to shoot down balloons used to smuggle cigarettes from neighbouring Belarus.
The Prime Minister’s warning comes after balloons entering Lithuanian airspace forced Vilnius Airport to close multiple times over the past week, including at the weekend, with the government also closing Belarus border crossings temporarily each time.
Border checkpoints will now be closed indefinitely in response to the helium weather balloons.
Ruginiene says the government is ready to take even the most severe actions when their airspace is violated.
She says diplomats will still be able to travel between the two countries, and EU citizens and Lithuanians can enter from Belarus, but no other movement will be allowed.
Earlier this month, BBC reported that 25 balloons entered Lithuania from Belarus, leading to 30 flight cancellations affecting 6,000 passengers.
Other European airports - including in Copenhagen and Munich - have also been affected by air incursions, including drone sightings, in recent weeks.
Source: BBC News
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