Lithuania closes border with Belarus after multiple balloons violate airspace

Lithuania has closed its border with Belarus following “constant violations” of its airspace, the country’s foreign ministry announced 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 recent days, according to Inga Ruginienė, the country’s prime minister.

“Autocrats are once again testing the resilience of (the European Union) and NATO against hybrid threats,” she said Monday in a post on X, calling for a “united, resolute response” against the airspace violations.

At a press conference, Ruginienė said that her country’s armed forces would take “all necessary measures” to shoot down balloons, Reuters reported.

“In this way, we are again sending a signal that we are ready – and we are ready to take even the most severe actions when our airspace is violated,” she said.