Lithuania shuts Vilnius Airport airspace over suspected Belarus balloon “hybrid attack”

Lithuanian authorities temporarily restricted operations at Vilnius Airport late Monday after detecting navigation signals characteristic of balloons in areas considered dangerous to aviation.

Lithuanian Airports said the restrictions were introduced from 11:25 p.m. until 12:30 a.m. local time, describing the incident as part of a “hybrid attack” by Belarus against Lithuania, civil aviation and society.

Authorities have repeatedly linked similar incursions to balloons entering Lithuanian airspace from Belarus, prompting previous disruptions at Vilnius Airport.

Passengers whose flights were delayed or cancelled were advised to contact their airlines directly while authorities monitored the situation.