In Lithuania, the number of balloons with smuggling with Belarus has increased sharply

The State Border Service of Lithuania (VSAT) captures a sharp increase in the number of cases of use of balloons to transmit smuggling from Belarus.

About it writes Lithuanian broadcaster LRTreports « European Truth ».

In the first five months of 2025, VSAT recorded more than 230 such cases – more than in the previous year.

The most recent incident happened on May 15 in Vilnius: a bullet with a cargo of 1.5 thousand packs of smuggled cigarettes landed on the street.

According to the VSAT representative Gedrus Mishutis, the balloons are launched from Belarus, raised to high height and equipped with GPS transmitters. They are almost invisible to radars, which complicates their detection. When the ball land, smugglers try to pick up the load quickly.

He noted that thanks to operational data, the border guards not only intercepts the balls, but also delay the criminal groups – this year more than 60 people have been caught when trying to pick up smuggling.

Photo: LRT

At the beginning of October 2024, former Lithuanian Minister of Internal Affairs Agne Bilovat stated that he would submit amendment to the parliament to the legislation that will allow border guards whisk balloonsthat illegally cross the Lithuanian airspace with smuggling goods.

The minister’s comment came after the territory of Vilnius Airport The balloon fellwhich probably came from Belarus with smuggling cigarettes.

And in early December the border guards of Lithuania intercepted in the Switzchensk district an unmanned aircraft smugglers who arrived from Belarus.

On January 8, the Lithuanian government allowed officers use special ammunition and shells for the destruction of meteorological balloons, drones and other flying objects.

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