Lithuania’s Vilnius Airport temporarily halted flights for the second time due to suspicions of balloons in its airspace, marking the latest incident in a series of similar occurrences in recent months. The airport operator confirmed the suspension in a public statement.
Authorities in Lithuania believe that these balloons are being utilized by smugglers to transport illicit cigarettes from Belarus. They have placed blame on Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, who is closely aligned with Russian President Vladimir Putin, accusing him of failing to prevent what they describe as a form of “hybrid attack.”
Lukashenko, for his part, has accused Western nations of waging a hybrid war against Belarus and Russia. The Vilnius Airport, situated approximately 30 kilometers (19 miles) from the Belarusian border, has experienced more than ten flight suspensions since early October as a direct result of these unsettling incidents.
As tensions continue in the region, the safety and security of air travel remain a top priority for Lithuanian authorities. The ongoing occurrences highlight the complexities of geopolitical relations and underline the significant challenges faced in managing borders and airspace in an increasingly contentious environment.
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