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lithuaniaThe primary airport has faced repeated closures in recent weeks, leaving thousands of people stranded, according to weather reports balloons originated from belarus has caused significant disruption, and has increased Tension Between the two countries.
While these balloons are known to smuggle cigarettes, Vilnius officials interpret their increasing frequency and flight path as a deliberate campaign of disinformation by Belarus, a staunch Russian ally.
Following an unprecedented increase in drone incursions into NATO airspace last September and as the conflict in Ukraine approaches its fourth year, European vigilance has increased.
‘A crazy hybrid attack’
In the most recent incident, operations at Vilnius airport were suspended for 11 hours on Saturday night. Lithuanian officials said at least 60 balloons were launched over the forests of Belarus, 40 of them reaching areas critical to aviation safety and making it one of the most serious incidents ever.
Lithuanian aviation officials said it appeared that the balloons were launched at regular intervals and directed towards the runway.
Lithuania’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Torimas Valis said of the incident, “This is a deplorable mixed attack against our economy, aviation security and the entire country.”
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko had earlier said that Belarus would apologize if his involvement was proven.
On Monday, Minsk pointed the finger at Lithuania for allegedly sending a drone into the country’s airspace, claiming it was to be used for spying and delivery of “extremist material”.
The Belarusian Foreign Ministry on Monday summoned Lithuania’s chargé d’affaires, Erikas Vilkanekas, and demanded an explanation and investigation over the incident.
“The Republic of Belarus reserves the right to take all necessary measures to protect its sovereignty and security, depending on the current situation,” the ministry said in a statement on Monday.
Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene said on Tuesday that she had not received any information suggesting that Lithuania was involved in the incident, according to BNS news agency.
high tension
Lithuania in October Closed Balloons have repeatedly disrupted operations at Vilnius Airport, which shares its borders with Belarus.
In retaliation, Minsk blocked more than 1,000 Lithuanian cargo trucks from leaving Belarus. Those trucks remain in Belarus, although the Lithuanian government bowed to pressure from national logistics companies and reopened the border less than three weeks after the closure.
Since then, Lithuanian authorities have noted that the number of balloons flying has continued to increase.
“If necessary, we will close the border, but please understand that we have to coordinate every action with our strategic partners,” Ruginiene said on Tuesday.
an attempt at a solution
Lithuanian authorities offered 1 million euros for projects that could help prevent the disruption.
One of the beneficiaries, IT Logica, plans to develop an Intelligent Airspace Security System (IOEAS) to detect and identify targets at any time of the day, as well as a high-powered laser to safely shoot down multiple balloons during a single flight. Object trajectories will be predicted and identified using artificial intelligence algorithms. Real-time information will be provided from drone base stations, radar and other geographically distributed sensors.
Other planned measures include new tougher penalties for any activity that may be linked to cigarette smuggling and changes to flight schedules.
“We are considering the possibility of transferring night flights to other airports, such as Kaunas,” said Ignas Algirdas Dobrovolskas, an adviser to the prime minister. “Now we’re focused on how to really help people and businesses,” he said.