Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė on Thursday said actions by Belarus, including smuggling balloons entering Lithuanian airspace and the detention of Lithuanian trucks on Belarusian territory, could be considered acts of terrorism.
“It is unacceptable that Belarus is holding our haulers’ trucks hostage, that balloons are coming from its side and heading toward our strategic facilities and sites, in this case the airport,” Ruginienė told reporters.
“We are talking about aviation security and international law, and about the fact that such actions could be recognised as terrorism,” she added.
Ruginienė said she has received assurances of support from the US and hopes to meet American representatives in person soon.
Vilnius Airport suspended operations three times Wednesday evening and early Thursday due to the balloon threat.
The prime minister said she is prepared to make difficult decisions to ensure public safety.
“I choose an uncomfortable situation, I choose uncomfortable questions and perhaps public irritation, but I will do everything to make people feel safe,” she said.
Several ministries and agencies are working on the issue, and the armed forces are testing new technologies, Ruginienė said.
“Europe is already asking about our experience. Everyone understands this is a new threat the world was not prepared for, and we will be the first,” she said.
Asked why the military is not shooting down the balloons, Ruginienė said she had never used that term.
“I said the armed forces will use all available means, including kinetic ones, after assessing all circumstances,” she said.
She noted that while authorities are working to counter the balloon threat quickly, achieving results will take time.
“If we look at Ukraine, it has been at war for years and of course one would want it to end quickly. But there are circumstances that make it impossible,” she said.
Weather balloons launched by cigarette smugglers from Belarus have repeatedly forced temporary closures at Vilnius Airport in recent months and once at Kaunas Airport. Lithuanian officials describe them as a “hybrid attack” orchestrated by the Belarusian government.
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