EU mulls new sanctions on Belarus over Lithuanian airspace incursions

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the European Union could introduce new sanctions against Belarus over repeated violations of Lithuanian airspace involving hybrid balloons, Suspilne reported.

“The situation on the border with Belarus is deteriorating due to the growing number of incursions by smuggled balloons into Lithuania’s airspace. Such a hybrid attack by the Lukashenko regime is completely unacceptable. We are preparing further measures within the framework of our sanctions regime,” von der Leyen wrote.

On 30 November, Vilnius Airport temporarily suspended operations after suspicious objects, believed to be balloons, were detected in the airspace. The airport resumed operations on 1 December.

Lithuania has also introduced temporary border measures. The “Šalčininkai” and “Medininkai” checkpoints, originally scheduled to remain closed until 30 November 2025, were reopened earlier, on 20 November. Prime Minister Inga Ruginė warned that the government may reinstate the closures if the situation worsens.

Vilnius prepares legal action

Ruginė announced that Lithuania intends to appeal to international judicial bodies, including the International Court of Justice, over Belarus’s actions. Agencies are collecting evidence and assessing possible claims related to damage and repeated disruptions to civil aviation, as Vilnius Airport has been forced to suspend operations multiple times due to balloon intrusions.

“We have reached a consensus that the ministries of justice, transport and foreign affairs will collect data and explore the possibility of approaching the United Nations Court regarding damages and threats to civil aviation,” she said. The Ministry of Transport and Communications has already contacted the International Civil Aviation Organization.

“It all makes sense. Look at what Ukraine is doing. Ukraine is also collecting evidence every day. We are a country that respects international law and our reputation is very important. We are taking the actions expected of a normal democratic state,” the Lithuanian government said.

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys said on Monday that Belarus was deliberately targeting Vilnius Airport, forcing it to impose temporary restrictions several times last week alone. According to a statement from the foreign ministry, more than 7,400 passengers and 50 flights were affected during Sunday night, with 31 flights cancelled, 10 diverted and nine delayed.

Repeated incursions

Lithuania has faced multiple incidents involving balloons entering from Belarusian territory. Since late October, Vilnius International Airport has been forced to suspend operations on several occasions, including on 23 and 24 November, due to smuggled balloons. Similar intrusions were also recorded in Latvian airspace.

In October, dozens of small hot air balloons, some carrying smuggled cigarettes, entered Lithuanian airspace. Authorities were not immediately able to determine their origin.

Lithuania says it will shoot down Belarus smuggler balloons disrupting air traffic

Lithuania closed its border with Belarus later in October following what it described as constant violations of its airspace. Minsk criticised the move and said it violated citizens’ rights and freedom of movement.

On Monday, the European Union’s diplomatic service summoned the Belarusian Chargé d’Affaires to deliver a formal diplomatic note concerning what Brussels described as hybrid actions originating from Belarusian territory, according to EU spokesperson Anitta Hipper.

Regional clashes

The incidents come amid broader security concerns in the region. In September, around 20 Russian drones entered Poland from Ukrainian territory, prompting NATO jets to scramble and shoot them down. Moscow denied intentionally flying drones into Polish airspace.

Later that month, NATO accused three Russian jets of violating Estonian airspace, an allegation rejected by the Kremlin. Romania has also condemned Moscow for what it described as irresponsible actions after claiming that a Russian drone breached its airspace.

Caption: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen speaks during a debate on ‘EU position on the proposed plan and EU engagement towards a just and lasting peace for Ukraine’ at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, 26 November 2025. EPA/RONALD WITTEK