Belarus Accused Of Sabotaging Lithuanian Airspace As EU Moves Toward New Sanctions

"The European Union is finally moving closer to sanctioning Belarus for the release of weather balloons over Lithuania in recent months. These airspace violations have caused the EU member state to shut its largest airports several times, and in November it moved to temporarily seal its border with its southeastern neighbor. According to Lithuanian officials who spoke to RFE/RL on condition of anonymity, a total of 315 unauthorized balloons have entered the country from Belarus since June, peaking in October with 71 airspace incursions."

"According to Lithuanian officials who spoke to RFE/RL on condition of anonymity, a total of 315 unauthorized balloons have entered the country from Belarus since June, peaking in October with 71 airspace incursions. Able to easily reach high altitudes and thereby making it harder for them to be spotted by radar, most of the balloons are used for smuggling knockoff Belarusian-made cigarettes. The balloons can also "double" as sabotage tools by forcing the closure of airports for safety reasons."

Belarus released at least 315 unauthorized high-altitude balloons over Lithuania since June, peaking with 71 incursions in October. The balloons often reach altitudes that make radar detection difficult. Most are used to smuggle knockoff Belarusian-made cigarettes and can force airport closures for safety reasons. Between October and December, Vilnius and Kaunas airports shut down 15 times, affecting over 320 flights and more than 45,000 passengers; one incident closed Vilnius airport for nearly 12 hours in early December. Lithuania closed its 700-kilometer border with Belarus on October 29 with limited exemptions. The EU's foreign policy chief condemned Belarus's actions and the EU is moving closer to sanctions.

Read at RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty