Aurelijus Veryga, a member of the Lithuanian parliament, has voiced strong criticism of Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė regarding her role in receiving a drone donation aimed at strengthening border security against cigarette smuggling. The drones, provided by Philip Morris International, are intended to combat illegal activities, particularly the inflow of contraband cigarettes coming from Belarus. Veryga's concern revolves around the appropriateness of such a donation, questioning the involvement of a tobacco company in national security matters.

In the wake of the donation, the vice president of Philip Morris International, Michalas Mierzejewski, asserted that the support from the company, valued at €300,000, is an effort to reduce smuggling activities. The company has noted that illegal tobacco products are being smuggled into Lithuania via balloons originating from Belarus, which has prompted their involvement in addressing the issue. This initiative might raise questions regarding the ethics of corporate involvement in national security and public health policy.

Prime Minister Ruginienė responded to Veryga's criticism by encouraging other companies to join the fight against smuggling and stated that this initiative is an example of non-defense companies contributing to security efforts. However, Veryga’s criticisms highlight a deeper concern regarding the influence of tobacco companies and the potential implications of their role in national security, prompting discussions about the boundaries of corporate involvement in governance and policy-making.