EU ambassadors have agreed to expand sanctions against the Belarusian regime in response to the systematic launch of air balloons carrying contraband. These launches pose a significant threat to civil aviation safety and Lithuania’s economy.
“Ambassadors have just agreed to expand sanctions against Belarus to counter the balloon invasion,” wrote a journalist from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
The restrictions are expected to be officially approved next week. While the precise details of the sanctions have not yet been disclosed, the political signal is clear: the EU considers these actions a hybrid security threat.
Chronicle of the “Air Chaos”
NEWSROOM IN notes that Lithuania has faced a series of hostile actions from Belarus, which Lithuanian authorities describe as “a deliberate hybrid attack.” Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė previously stated that Minsk’s actions, including launching contraband weather balloons, could be classified as terrorism.
Each balloon is viewed as a potential risk to the lives of air passengers, necessitating airport shutdowns for safety when required. This security measure has been necessary almost daily over the past two months. According to Lithuanian Airports (LTOU), airspace over Vilnius was closed 13 times during October and November, and once over Kaunas. These incidents affected approximately 45,000 passengers and 320 flights.
The situation did not improve in December.
Last week, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys requested allied assistance in combating hybrid threats during a conversation with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte. He also invited allies to test new defense systems against such threats, including anti-drone systems, in Lithuania. Budrys stressed that these actions “pose a threat not only to Lithuania’s security but also to the entire region.” He added that the Belarusian regime is deliberately disrupting civil aviation and sowing confusion.
Consequently, the Lithuanian government introduced a state of emergency on December 9.
Impact of Belarus Sanctions on Aviation Safety
It is important to note that Belarusian authorities regularly receive protest notes from Lithuania but do not impede the actions of the smugglers. This leads to the conclusion that the entire situation regarding the regular violation of Lithuanian airspace is under the control of the Belarusian authorities.
Previously, Belarus used people to create an artificial migration crisis on the borders with Lithuania and Poland. Now, it appears they have found a less expensive way to antagonize their neighbors: launching balloons carrying contraband. Furthermore, they seem to have accomplices—smugglers—within Lithuania itself.
