On December 1, 2025, Vilnius Airport resumed operations after being shut for nearly eleven hours since 18:09 local time on November 30 due to smuggler balloons from Belarus detected entering Lithuanian airspace. The disruption affected more than 7,400 passengers and 50 flights, resulting in 31 cancellations, ten diversions, and nine delays. Approximately 60 balloons were detected, 40 of which threatened critical approach and departure routes, effectively blocking air traffic. Lithuanian Airports (LTOU) lifted the restrictions at 5:00 local time on Monday, but isolated delays were expected throughout the day. Lithuanian officials view these incursions as a hybrid attack coordinated by Minsk, with smuggling balloons prompting repeated airport shutdowns regionally. Previously, the threat also led Lithuania to close its Belarus border for nearly a month in late October, though it reopened recently. The Prime Minister warned the border closure might be reinstated indefinitely if the hybrid attacks persist. Passengers affected by disruptions are urged to liaise with their airlines directly.
Category: Military & Paramilitary Operations
Subcategory: Unconventional / Paramilitary
Incident Type: Use of ‘little green men’ (unmarked soldiers)
Country: Lithuania
Source report: www.lrt.lt/en/news-i…
