Lithuania convenes security meeting to discuss Belarus balloon threat

On January 14, a meeting of the National Security Commission will be held in Lithuania to discuss the situation involving weather balloons arriving from Belarus, as well as issues related to the security of maritime and transport infrastructure.

Ignas Algirdas Dobrovolskas, an adviser to the Lithuanian prime minister, made the announcement, noting that the meeting will review measures already implemented to counter the use of balloons for smuggling and assess what additional steps are required, Caliber.Az reports, citing Lithuanian media.

Dobrovolskas said the gathering will also address the issue of trucks stranded on Belarusian territory.

In addition, participants plan to discuss recent incidents involving damage to underwater communication cables in the Baltic Sea.

Lithuania’s Border Guard Service said 635 shipments of cigarettes smuggled by balloons were intercepted last year. These incidents disrupted more than 300 flights, affected 47,000 passengers, and led to airport closures totalling nearly 60 hours.

By Khagan Isayev