Vilnius airport restricts air traffic over balloon overflights

January 27, Pozirk. Vilnius International Airport restricted air traffic from 19:05 p.m. to 22:05 p.m. citing “a hybrid attack” from Belarus, in connection with overflights of balloons.

The airport had not suspended operations over balloons carrying smuggled cigarettes since December 6.

Balloon incursions have been a source of tensions between Belarus and Lithuania. In late 2024, Vilnius declared an “extreme situation,” a low-level emergency.

Economy Politics

Economy, Politics

Lithuania intercepts balloons, drone with cigarettes smuggled from Belarus

January 26, Pozirk. Lithuanian border guards intercepted five balloons and one drone carrying illegal cigarettes from Belarus on January 24 and 25, said the country’s State Border Guard Service.   Border guards seized nearly 20,000 packs of cigarettes. The drone, …

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