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Vilnius Airport Suspends Operations Amid Balloon Smuggling Crisis

12/4/2025

Summary

Story summary

Vilnius airport suspended operations on December 3 due to suspected balloons, marking the second incident in days.
The airport has closed more than ten times since early October, due to balloons allegedly sent by smugglers transporting contraband cigarettes from Belarus.
Lithuania blames Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko for allowing the incursions, calling them a "hybrid attack."
Lukashenko has accused the West of waging a hybrid war against Belarus and Russia.

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Story summary

Vilnius airport suspended operations on December 3 due to suspected balloons, marking the second incident in days.
The airport has closed more than ten times since early October, due to balloons allegedly sent by smugglers transporting contraband cigarettes from Belarus.
Lithuania blames Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko for allowing the incursions, calling them a "hybrid attack."
Lukashenko has accused the West of waging a hybrid war against Belarus and Russia.