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Vilnius Airport Briefly Shut After Smugglers’ Balloons Trigger Airspace Alert

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Lithuania’s Vilnius Airport was forced to halt operations for over an hour on Thursday evening after balloons used by smugglers once again appeared on radar systems, triggering an airspace safety alert. The National Crisis Management Centre confirmed that flights resumed shortly after the objects cleared the area. This comes just hours after Lithuania reopened its border crossings with Belarus, which were earlier shut due to repeated airspace disruptions.

The Lithuanian government has accused smugglers of flying balloons from Belarus carrying contraband cigarettes, describing the activity as a form of “hybrid attack” orchestrated by the regime of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene’s office warned that if such incursions continue, Lithuania may be forced to close all border checkpoints again as a security measure.

Belarus has dismissed the allegations, with Lukashenko calling Lithuania’s response a “crazy scam” and accusing Western nations of waging hybrid warfare against Belarus and Russia. Authorities in Vilnius noted that air traffic disturbance reports had declined in recent weeks, but Thursday’s balloon-triggered closure marked a renewed incident amid ongoing regional tensions.

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Finland to close entire Russian border after migrant surge

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Finland has decided to close the majority of its border crossings with Russia, accusing Moscow of actively aiding migrants in their entry into the country. With seven out of eight road posts already closed due to a notable increase in crossings, the last remaining crossing, situated in the Arctic Circle, is set to be shut for a two-week period.

The Finnish government asserts that Russia is orchestrating the movement of asylum seekers towards Finland as part of what they describe as an “influence operation” and a “hybrid attack.” Prime Minister Petteri Orpo emphasized the government’s commitment to putting an end to these crossings, citing concerns for national security.

In November, Finland saw a surge in the number of asylum seekers, totaling around 900 individuals, who entered the country from Russia. These asylum seekers come from various countries, including Morocco, Pakistan, and Syria. The Finnish government’s response to this influx has been a gradual closure of more border posts. The decision has raised concerns from Finland’s non-discrimination ombudsman, who fears that the closures may compromise the right to seek asylum under international law, particularly considering the remote location of the last remaining border crossing, approximately 900 kilometers north of the capital.

Despite the closures, the Finnish government maintains that asylum seekers arriving by boat and air can still seek asylum. However, advocates worry that the decision to close official crossing points may lead asylum seekers to attempt illegal crossings through the vast forests and rivers that make up the lengthy border between Finland and Russia.

With the arrival of winter, there are heightened concerns about the safety of such attempts. Advocates also emphasize the importance of providing assistance to those in need on the Russian side of the border and urge authorities to avoid pushing individuals crossing illegally back into Russia.

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