Now, as your mind conjures up images of the colorful varieties found at children’s birthday parties, these particular balloons are of course something entirely different. Investigations by Lithuanian authorities suggest that unmanned helium balloons launched from neighboring Belarus are the culprit. These often carry lightweight packages of smuggled goods, typically contraband cigarettes bound for the European Union. In one incident, several recovered balloons were found carrying more than 18,000 packs of cigarettes. The phenomenon is far from new—hundreds of these balloons have entered Lithuanian airspace this year alone. 

Officials have described these incidents as part of a broader “hybrid threat,” blending criminal smuggling with geopolitical pressure. It seems as if the Lithuanian government has had enough. Last week, Lithuania’s Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene announced that border crossings between Lithuania and Belarus had closed and would remain shut until November 30th. As for those pesky balloons, the military had received authorization to shoot them down if deemed necessary.