Belarusian balloons smuggle cigarettes into Lithuania, prompting border closures and military action against these hybrid threats.
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While news focuses on drone incidents across Europe, a less technological but more bizarre threat has emerged from Belarus into Lithuania: balloons. These seemingly harmless meteorological balloons are being used for cigarette smuggling, allowing up to 500–1500 packs per balloon due to the significant price difference between Belarusian and Lithuanian cigarettes. Lithuanian authorities view this as a consequence of migration pressure since 2021, suggesting Minsk artificially increased migration toward EU borders, leading to stricter border controls that have shifted smuggling routes to the air. The Lithuanian government has imposed a complete border closure with Belarus until November 30th, stating they will not tolerate hybrid attacks and are authorizing the military to take necessary measures, including shooting the balloons. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko dismissed Lithuania’s decision as an “absurd trick” by the West, but Vilnius argues that Minsk is deliberately allowing the balloons to launch. Despite the border closure, Vilnius airport was recently forced to close again due to another balloon heading toward the runway.
