BRUSSELS

The European Union on Monday stressed the urgent need to accelerate the rollout of a drone defense initiative following repeated incursions of helium balloons into Lithuanian airspace sent by smugglers transporting contraband cigarettes from Belarus.

In a post on the US social media company X’s platform, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the incidents as "destabilization" and a "hybrid threat," saying Europe would not tolerate such "provocations."

"This is yet another reason to accelerate our flagships -- the Eastern Flank Watch and the European Drone Defense Initiative," she stressed.

The EU's "drone wall," part of its Eastern Flank Watch initiative to strengthen security along its eastern borders, is a high-tech system using radar, sensors and counter-drone tools to detect and neutralize unauthorized unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

Separately, European Council President Antonio Costa also condemned Belarus's "persistent and provocative actions" against the EU and its member states, calling on Minsk to prevent further incidents.

"The EU will continue to put pressure on the regime for its complicity in Russia's war against Ukraine and will support the protection of the EU's eastern border," he wrote.

Both expressed their support for Lithuania, emphasizing the EU's commitment to stand by the country in the face of ongoing provocations and security threats.

Lithuania has closed airports and border crossings after helium balloons from Belarus entered its airspace.

Authorities say the balloons are used for smuggling and are part of broader "hybrid attacks."