Violations of Lithuania’s airspace by the Belarusian regime are being treated as a ‘hybrid attack’ by the Lukashenko regime, said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Monday after the Belarusian representative in Brussels was summoned.
«the ‘hybrid attack’ by the Lukashenko regime»
– Ursula von der Leyen
The situation at the border with Belarus is escalating due to increasing airspace violations by smuggled balloons, which, European officials say, are moving toward Lithuania’s air corridors.
According to Lithuanian officials, Vilnius Airport over the weekend imposed temporary airspace restrictions over the airport due to navigation signals indicating balloons moving toward the airport.
European airports have recently faced disruptions caused by reconnaissance drones; Vilnius Airport has been temporarily closed at least 10 times since the start of October, with the restrictions lifted on Monday.
Lithuania’s Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys said that “for this reason” the restrictions affected more than 7,400 passengers and 50 flights during the overnight portion of Sunday: 31 flights canceled, 10 redirected, nine delayed.
On Monday the EU summoned the Belarusian Chargé d’Affaires to the EU for the purpose of delivering a demarche – a formal diplomatic note – regarding “hybrid actions emanating from Belarusian territory,” said Anita Hipper, the EU spokesperson for foreign affairs and security policy.
«Belarusian actions pose a threat to the EU»
– Anita Hipper, EU spokesperson for foreign affairs and security policy
«Such a hybrid attack by the Lukashenko regime is absolutely unacceptable»
– Ursula von der Leyen
«We are preparing further measures under our sanctions regime», she added.
– Ursula von der Leyen
EU Reaction and Next Steps
The EU is currently viewing Belarus’s actions as a threat to the bloc’s security and again reaffirming its intention to intensify diplomatic and economic measures against the Lukashenko regime in response to violent and destabilizing actions.
European countries remain on high alert after a series of drone and aircraft incidents that breached NATO airspaces; the Alliance is strengthening its presence on the eastern flank.
In September, about 20 Russian drones crossed into Poland from Ukrainian territory. This prompted some slowing of responses by many NATO countries, while Moscow denied any intention to deliberately enter Poland’s airspace.
Later that month in Estonia, NATO said that three Russian aircraft rose above NATO territory; Moscow rejected these claims. Romania also condemned Moscow for “irresponsible actions” after a Russian drone allegedly violated Romania’s airspace.
Inga Ruginienė, Lithuania’s prime minister at the time, had previously stated that the country’s armed forces would take “all necessary measures” to destroy the balloons.
In the context of the escalation, partner countries continue coordinating actions and strengthening the security of the airspace region to prevent similar incidents and reduce risks to civilians and carriers.