Border guards down smugglers’ drone in Šalčininkai district

Lithuanian border guards have downed a drone used by smugglers to transport contraband, the State Border Guard Service (VSAT) reported.

The incident occurred late Sunday near the Dieveniškės loop in the Šalčininkai district, close to the border with Belarus. Border guards from the Varėna border squad’s Gintaro Žagunio checkpoint used anti-drone equipment after hearing the sound of the aircraft, suspected of carrying cigarette contraband from Belarus.

The drone, with a wingspan of about three metres, was struck by the equipment and began spinning in the air before crashing in a field away from the border. A search was launched, and the drone was found the next morning along with its deployed parachute, which VSAT said activated automatically when the battery ran out to ensure a safe landing.

The drone’s body contained a compartment believed to be used for transporting and dropping contraband cigarettes. Authorities continued searching the area on Monday for any cargo that may have been jettisoned during the flight.

The drone was made of foam plastic and wood. VSAT noted that similar homemade aircraft have been intercepted before. This year alone, border guards have downed 25 drones used for smuggling cigarettes from Belarus. In 2025, 59 such drones were intercepted, and 54 in 2024.