Lithuania closes border with Belarus after a number of balloons violate airspace

[ad_1] Lithuania has closed its border with Belarus following “fixed violations” of its airspace, the nation’s international ministry introduced Monday, at a time when European nations are on high alert for intrusions into their skies.

“Dozens of helium balloons” have entered Lithuania’s airspace from Belarus over latest days, in keeping with Inga Ruginienė, the nation’s prime minister.

“Autocrats are as soon as once more testing the resilience of (the European Union) and NATO in opposition to hybrid threats,” she stated Monday in a post on X , calling for a “united, resolute response” in opposition to the airspace violations.

At a press convention, Ruginienė stated that her nation’s armed forces would take “all obligatory measures” to shoot down balloons, Reuters reported.

“On this means, we're once more sending a sign that we're prepared – and we're able to take even probably the most extreme actions when our airspace is violated,” she stated.

In response to the border closure, Belarus’ international ministry stated it has “handed Lithuania a word of protest” over the transfer.

“This violates residents’ rights and freedom of motion rules. Belarus helps dialogue and sensible cooperation,” the ministry stated in a post on X.

Earlier this month, dozens of small hot-air balloons entered Lithuanian airspace, a few of which have been carrying smuggled cigarettes, in keeping with authorities.

Although it was not clear the place these balloons got here from, Darius Buta, a senior adviser at Lithuania’s Nationwide Disaster Administration Centre (NCMC) informed the Related Press on the time that Belarusian smugglers are more and more utilizing balloons for smuggling cigarettes into the EU.

Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Fee, referred to as Monday’s violations “a hybrid risk,” describing them as “destabilization” and “provocation.”

Europe “stands in full solidarity with Lithuania within the face of the persistent incursions of helium smuggling balloons into its airspace,” she stated.

Europe is on excessive alert after multiple recent incursions by drones and plane into NATO airspace.

The alliance launched the mission “Jap Sentry” to reinforce its presence in Jap Europe and counter Russia’s risk.

On September 9, Poland shot down Russian drones that had violated its airspace.

The operation marked the primary time photographs have been fired by NATO since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which started in February 2022. The navy alliance denounced Moscow’s “completely harmful” conduct. Russia claims it didn't intentionally fly its drones into Poland, suggesting Ukrainian digital jamming might have brought about them to veer off track.

Days later, Russian drones violated Romanian airspace, prompting Bucharest to scramble fighter jets.

NATO has additionally intercepted three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets that violated Estonia’s airspace. Russia claims its jets by no means crossed into NATO airspace, however the alliance says it has information to show its declare.