Lithuania Shuts Border With Putin-Allied Belarus Over Smuggler Balloons

VILNIUS, Oct 27 (Reuters) – Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene said on Monday her country would start shooting down smuggler balloons crossing the border. BelarusIt has repeatedly disrupted the Baltic country’s air traffic.

Lithuanian closed Last week, Vilnius Airport was temporarily closed four times, each time after balloons entered the airspace. Belarus Border gates were opened in response to the events.

Lithuania says balloons were sent by smugglers carrying smuggled cigarettes Belarus Enters the EU but also accuses Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, for not stopping the practice.

There were no immediate comments by Belarus.

Ruginiene described the incidents as “hybrid attacks” and said: Belarus Border crossings will be closed, except for the travels of diplomats and European Union citizens leaving the neighboring country.

Speaking at the press conference, Ruginiene said, “Today we decided to take the strictest measures. There is no other way,” and added that NATO member Lithuania could also discuss being invited to NATO. Article 4 security consultations.

European aviation has repeatedly been thrown into chaos in recent weeks by drone sightings and other air strikes. Copenhagen, Munich and the Baltic region.

On Thursday, Lithuania said two Russian military planes were shot down. entered While its stay in the airspace for approximately 18 seconds led to an official protest and the reaction of NATO forces, Russia denied the incident.

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys said that the latest airspace violations should not be seen as isolated incidents.

“These are calculated provocations designed to destabilize, distract (and) test NATO’s resolve,” X said on social media.

(Reporting by Andrius Sytas in Vilnius; Additional reporting by Moscow bureau; Writing by Stine Jacobsen; Editing by Terje Solsvik and Hugh Lawson)