On Sunday morning, residents of Marijampolė began calling the police officers and reported allegedly seen balloons similar to those used by smugglers. They were told by the officers that exercises were taking place. However, it soon became clear that international hot air balloon competitions were simply underway. The situation was coordinated with the Lithuanian Air Traffic Control Center.
Member of Parliament Dainius Gaižauskas also responded. He contacted the National Crisis Management Center regarding the situation and asked why residents were not warned about it.
“People must be timely and clearly explained what is happening. So that on Sunday morning, seeing balloons flying over their town with attached cargo, residents would not have to guess whether it is an exercise, smuggling, or something else,” wrote the Member of Parliament.
Read more Russia announces preparations for massive strikes on Ukraine’s energy sector
It soon became clear that the balloons flying over the region are the gas balloons of the 69th “Coupe Aéronautique Gordon Bennett” world championship. The competition is taking place in Gladbeck, Germany, and its goal is to fly the greatest distance without landing.
Read more In the posted video – prophetic words of Jessica Shy: surprised by what she said later
The flight trajectory of the hot air balloons can be tracked here.