Lithuania has announced that the army will shoot down helium balloons from Belarus, used for smuggling, considering them a hybrid threat.

Lithuania has decided to shoot down helium balloons launched from Belarus, used by smugglers to introduce cigarettes into the country. Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene stated that these incursions represent a new phase of the hybrid war waged by the regimes in Russia and Belarus against the European Union. The balloons led to the temporary closure of the airport in Vilnius and raised concerns among security officials, who are considering activating Article 4 of NATO for consultations. Ruginiene accused Alexander Lukashenko's regime of not taking measures to stop these violations of airspace. Additionally, Lithuania has closed its border with Belarus, except for diplomats and European citizens. Recently, Lithuania has also protested against incursions by Russian aircraft into its airspace, considering these actions provocative and intended to test NATO's resolve.