Lithuania accuses Belarus, Russia of "deliberate escalation of hybrid warfare" as balloons shut down airport

Lithuania said it will shoot down unidentified balloons breaching its airspace after repeated closures at Vilnius airport, which halted operations four times last week. Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene called the incidents hybrid attacks, signaled possible NATO Article 4 consultations, and announced an indefinite land border closure with Belarus except for diplomats and returning EU nationals. Vilnius blames contraband smuggling and criticizes Minsk's inaction; Belarus has not commented. Officials cite hundreds of balloon incursions this year and recent Russian aircraft and drone-related airspace breaches across the region, urging tougher NATO measures and sanctions.

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