Инга Ругинене. Фото: канцелярия Сейма Литвы
Lithuanian authorities are recording a minimal number of contraband weather balloons launched from the territory of Belarus, while attempts to illegally smuggle cigarettes continue. This was stated by Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė at a press conference today, LRT reported.
According to her, the situation in recent weeks has remained relatively calm, including due to unfavorable weather conditions. There was no need to close Vilnius Airport during this period, and the Christmas and New Year holidays passed without serious incidents. At the same time, on the previous night a minimal but still another launch of contraband balloons was recorded, as a result of which law enforcement agencies seized about 3,000 packs of cigarettes.
“For a certain period of time it was fairly calm for us, this was related to unfavorable wind conditions, but there were different situations. There were times when the wind was favorable, blowing toward the airport, but we did not have a large number of balloons. Essentially, we spent the holidays calmly: both Christmas and New Year. Last night, a minimal number of balloons was recorded, they were detected. They were detected, and contraband cigarettes were seized. Three thousand packs of cigarettes are now with law enforcement agencies. This means that despite the inter-holiday period, the Three Kings, law enforcement agencies are actively working every night, and the fight against contraband has not ended; it will continue actively until the smugglers get tired of launching balloons,” the prime minister said.
Contraband balloons used to transport cigarettes from Belarus to Lithuania have previously repeatedly posed threats to civil aviation, including in the area of Vilnius Airport, leading to disruptions in air traffic and financial losses for airlines and passengers. Lithuanian authorities view such actions as an element of hybrid pressure by the Belarusian regime.