Lithuania lodged a formal protest with Belarus on Wednesday over repeated airspace violations, after dozens of smuggling weather balloons crossed the border overnight, disrupting flights and border traffic.
Belarus’ chargé d’affaires was summoned to the Foreign Ministry in Vilnius and handed a diplomatic note expressing “strong protest” over the recurring and increasingly frequent incursions.
“The ministry emphasised that violations of state borders are a gross breach of international law and called on the Republic of Belarus to ensure control of its airspace,” the ministry said in a statement.
Several dozen weather balloons used by smugglers to transport cigarettes entered Lithuanian airspace from Belarus between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.
The incident forced a temporary suspension of operations at Vilnius Airport, affecting about 30 flights and more than 4,000 passengers. Lithuania also closed its two remaining border checkpoints with Belarus, Medininkai and Šalčininkai, for several hours.
The Foreign Ministry said it reminded Belarus of previous airspace violations and demanded that they be investigated and prevented from happening again. It also warned that Lithuania “reserves the right to take appropriate countermeasures” if such illegal incursions continue.
Following this week’s wave of smuggling balloons, Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė said the government would consider fully closing the border if similar incidents were repeated.
Currently, only the Medininkai and Šalčininkai crossings remain open between Lithuania and Belarus.
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