Lithuania secures EU-wide action on rogue balloons in drone threat response plan

Lithuania’s National Security and Defence Committee (NSGK) has endorsed the European Commission’s action plan to counter drone threats, calling the inclusion of contraband balloons a “diplomatic victory” for Vilnius, LRT reports.

Committee chairman Rimantas Sinkevičius told journalists on Wednesday that Lithuania had successfully pushed for balloon threats—an issue uniquely pressing for the country—to be addressed in the EU-wide framework. “It’s encouraging that Lithuania’s concerns are now being addressed at the European level,” he said.

The Commission’s plan, unveiled in February, proposes stricter drone registration, expanded no-fly zones near critical infrastructure, and annual EU-wide anti-drone exercises to test preparedness. The measures follow rising security challenges linked to drones and weather balloons, including repeated incursions of Belarus-launched contraband balloons into Lithuanian airspace since December. Vilnius treats these as a hybrid attack by Minsk.

Discussions on the plan’s priorities are ongoing between the Commission and EU member states.

Hospitals urge funding for war-time readiness

NSGK members also called for civil security funds to be redirected toward preparing major hospitals for wartime operations. While Lithuania’s largest medical centres have drafted contingency plans, implementation remains stalled due to lack of financing.

Sinkevičius argued that medical preparedness “is one of the key pillars of defence” and must be prioritised in next year’s budget. His deputy, conservative MP Laurynas Kasčiūnas, proposed tapping the €35 million allocated annually for civil defence in the national Defence Fund, currently dispersed to municipalities. “Instead of scattering these funds, we should concentrate them on a concrete goal—preparing our hospitals for war,” Kasčiūnas said.

Estimates suggest Lithuania’s three largest hospitals need roughly €200 million to fully adapt their infrastructure. Kasčiūnas noted that reallocating the existing civil defence budget over four years could cover the costs.

Hospital directors from Vilnius, Kaunas, and Santarų clinics briefed the committee on their progress, citing ongoing staff drills, emergency protocols, and infrastructure upgrades like backup water wells and heating systems. Kaunas Clinics CEO Renaldas Jurkevičius confirmed his facility had already installed an independent water supply and reserve boiler but stressed that “everything comes at a high cost.”

Sinkevičius acknowledged that current funding mechanisms “deliver no real impact” and urged exploring additional sources, including EU support and foreign partnerships.