Balloons from Belarus are causing chaos in Lithuania. Is it smugglers or a hybrid attack?

Published: 12/15/2025
Balloons from Belarus are causing chaos in Lithuania. Is it smugglers or a hybrid attack?
Balloons from Belarus are causing chaos in Lithuania as contraband cigarettes are smuggled across the border, prompting closures of airspace. The Lithuanian government suspects the balloons are being weaponized in a hybrid attack by Belarus, escalating tensions in the region. Militarized response, including patrols, radar tracking, and a reward for intercepting the balloons, is in place to combat the smuggling tactics, as Lithuania faces disruptions and financial losses in the aviation sector.