After balloon flights

Weather balloons carrying contraband from Belarus have repeatedly paralyzed air traffic in Lithuania. Now the government in Vilnius wants to temporarily close the border with its neighbor – and, if necessary, activate NATO Article 4.

Following several airspace violations and disruptions to air traffic caused by balloons, Lithuania plans to close its border with Belarus indefinitely. The government of the Baltic EU and NATO country is ready to make a corresponding decision at the cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene said after a meeting of the National Security Council. Exceptions to the border closure will be made for diplomats and departing EU citizens.

The Lithuanian military will also take"all necessary measures" to stop balloons flying in from Belarus. Ruginiene did not elaborate. The balloons typically ascend almost vertically and cross the border at high altitude. This makes them difficult to detect, according to authorities.

Airport operations have already been paralyzed four times

In Lithuania, air traffic was disrupted four times last week due to weather balloons flying toward airports. These balloons are typically used by smugglers to illegally smuggle cigarettes across the border from the authoritarian neighboring country. Air traffic was therefore temporarily suspended for security reasons. A total of more than 140 flights and more than 20,000 passengers were affected.

Due to the incidents, Lithuania's border guards closed the two remaining border crossings with Belarus in Salcininkai and Medininkai for several hours each – most recently on Sunday night. The two checkpoints are expected to remain closed until Wednesday.

Prime Minister speaks of"hybrid attack"

Following the incidents, Lithuanian authorities seized several landed balloons carrying plastic-wrapped crates of contraband cigarettes. They also arrested individuals suspected of being involved in air smuggling.

Ruginiene announced that, in response to the incidents, discussions will be held on increasing penalties for smuggling activities. According to the Prime Minister, Lithuania considers the balloon landings a"hybrid attack." The Belarusian leadership in Minsk is complicit in the smuggling through its inaction, as it does nothing to stop it. President Gitanas Nauseda, the security advisor to the head of state, also said:"Smuggling serves as a cover for a hybrid psychological operation."

Activation of NATO Article 4 not excluded

According to Ruginiene, Lithuania plans to consult with its allies about the incidents and is in close contact with Poland and Latvia. She also did not rule out the possible activation of NATO Article 4. This article provides for consultations with allies if a NATO state perceives itself to be under external threat.

Article 4 of the NATO Treaty

Article 4 of the North Atlantic Treaty states:"The Parties shall consult each other whenever, in the opinion of either of them, the territorial integrity, political independence, or security of either Party is threatened." The issue must be discussed at a meeting of the NATO Council – this may, but does not necessarily, lead to joint decisions or measures.
The article has been invoked eight times since the Alliance was founded in 1949 – most recently in mid-September by Poland after Russian drones entered its airspace. The NATO Council had previously deliberated on February 24, 2022, the day of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The potential scope of Article 4 is less clear than the promise of mutual assistance in the event of an"armed attack" against one or more NATO countries, as stipulated in Article 5 of the Treaty. According to Article 5 of the NATO Treaty, an attack on one ally is considered an attack on all allies. The Pledge of Mutual Assistance stipulates that all NATO states contribute to the defense of the attacked country. This has only occurred once so far: after the attacks on September 11, 2001, in the United States.

Provocations also from the Russian side

In recent months, there have also been violations of Baltic airspace by Russia. Last week, Lithuania reported the brief incursion of Russian aircraft into Lithuanian airspace. And in September, Russian fighter jets entered Estonian airspace. Estonia subsequently requested NATO Article 4 consultations.

In May last year, Estonia also had Russia remove border buoys on the Narva River.