Lithuanian authorities temporarily closed the airspace over Vilnius on the evening of the 30th of October after eight smuggler balloons were spotted heading towards the airport, writes Politico.
The airspace over Vilnius was closed for about two and a half hours, from 8:10 p.m. to 10:43 p.m. According to local media reports, this was the sixth time in October that air traffic has been suspended in the country. At least two flights bound for the Lithuanian capital were diverted back to the airport from which they took off.
Belarus has repeatedly launched balloons, apparently to move smuggled cigarettes across the border.
The attacks have caused international outrage and forced Lithuania to close its border with Belarus until the end of November, with the possibility of an extension. Both European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa condemned Belarus’ actions earlier this week, calling them a hybrid threat. Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko, meanwhile, called the border closure absurd.
Read also: Lithuania closes border with Belarus; crossings will only be allowed in exceptional cases