Airspace Restricted Due to Balloon Activity
According to officials at the airport, they decided to restrict airspace after a balloon or balloons were seen heading toward Vilnius Airport. All flights were stopped until 21:10 GMT (11:10 pm local time), as a first step toward safety. This was the sixth case of a balloon and a similar situation to be reported in the last month, raising other questions for safety and aviation.

Growing Tensions and Security Measures at the Border
The closure came a day after Lithuania announced it would keep its border with Belarus closed for a month. That announcement came after an uptick in persons attempting to smuggle goods to each other through balloons, which was classified by officials as a "targeted hybrid campaign." The balloons, described as being about the size of a large car, are typically used for smuggling cigarettes, but come to the intelligence agency's attention for other reasons and security risks.

Response of Lithuania and the EU
The Prime Minister of Lithuania warned that the country is prepared to shoot down any further balloons if these incursions with balloons do not cease. The European Union stated there was "full solidarity" with Lithuania and all other member states that face continued provocations from Belarus, and urged a first step to securing regional airspace and overall security in the region.