Balloon Smuggling Crisis: Lithuania Shuts Border Over 'Hybrid Attack'

Lithuania's capital, Vilnius, has been at the center of an unusual crisis, with smuggling balloons drifting in from Belarus forcing the airport to shut down for several evenings this past week. Authorities have labeled the situation a 'hybrid attack' orchestrated by Belarus, a known ally of the Kremlin.

This airborne contraband has led to dozens of flight cancellations and diversions, affecting thousands of passengers. In response, Lithuania, a member of both NATO and the European Union, has decided to seal its land border with Belarus until the end of November. Officials have warned that the continuation of these incidents might trigger NATO Article 4 consultations.

The balloons, filled with helium or hydrogen, hover at altitudes akin to airliners, risking potential collisions. Originally used for weather tracking, the balloons have been repurposed to smuggle cheaper cigarettes from Belarus into Lithuania. The Lithuanian government accuses Belarus of abetting the smugglers, and it has now authorized military intervention to destroy the balloons, citing the need for enhanced civil aviation safety.