Один из метеозондов, перехваченных в Литве. Иллюстративное фото: VSAT
Possible response measures to the situation involving meteorological balloons carrying contraband that continue to arrive from Belarus will be considered at the December meeting of the State Defence Council. The information was provided by presidential adviser Ridas Jasiulionis. The report was carried by LRT, citing Elta.
“The situation related to the hybrid attack from Belarus was discussed at the meeting of the State Defence Council held this month. All possible response measures to contraband transported by meteorological balloons will also be discussed at the next meeting of the State Defence Council in December,” he said.
As previously reported, meteorological balloons carrying contraband again entered Lithuania on Friday evening, leading to an almost eight-hour suspension of operations at Vilnius Airport. As a result, 22 flights were delayed and about 3,000 passengers were affected.
According to the head of the National Crisis Management Centre, Vilmantas Vitkauskas, there was increased activity of meteorological balloons this time, with the devices remaining airborne from 19:00 to 6:30. He also noted that the balloons were directed into areas posing risks to aviation.
In late October, amid a rise in contraband balloons, the Lithuanian government decided to close the Lithuanian-Belarusian border, which was reopened last week.
Operations at Lithuanian airports have repeatedly been disrupted due to the appearance of meteorological balloons. In recent weeks, several meetings of the National Security Commission have been convened to address the situation, and the issue is being discussed at both national and international levels.
The most recent meeting of the State Defence Council took place on 18 November.