The European Union has expanded sanctions against Belarus to include hybrid hostile actions against neighboring countries. The new criterion allows for restrictions to be imposed on companies and individuals involved in actions that threaten the EU's democracy, rule of law, stability, or security.
In November, Lithuania experienced 325 hostile information influences, almost double the norm, with 47% of attacks related to military topics. At the same time, physical hybrid threats are being recorded, including the launch of weather balloons from Belarus that violate Lithuanian airspace.
The Lithuanian government has declared a state of emergency throughout the country due to balloons from Belarus disrupting aviation. This will allow the military to receive special powers for more effective coordination of actions.
Vilnius Airport has suspended operations due to the launch of weather balloons from Belarus. Restrictions will be in effect from 18:06 to 21:05 local time; passengers are advised to contact their airlines.
Edinburgh Airport in the capital of Scotland suspended operations due to problems with the air traffic control computer system. This is Scotland's busiest airport, which served approximately 15.7 million passengers in 2024.
The Lithuanian government plans to declare a state of emergency due to the threat to public safety caused by an influx of contraband balloons. This disrupts the operation of Vilnius Airport, which has repeatedly suspended operations.
A Ukrainian citizen has been sentenced to three years and four months in prison in Lithuania for setting fire to an IKEA furniture store in Vilnius. He was also accused of illegal possession of explosives and ties to Russian military intelligence.
On November 23-24, Vilnius Airport twice imposed temporary airspace restrictions due to the appearance of navigation markers resembling balloon signals. This caused disruptions to airport operations and potential flight delays.
Ukraine has extradited Russian serviceman Margen Gadzhymagomedov to Lithuania for the first time. He is suspected of torturing prisoners, including a Lithuanian volunteer, at the airfield in Melitopol.
On November 21, Ukraine celebrates the Day of Dignity and Freedom in honor of the Orange Revolution of 2004 and the Revolution of Dignity of 2013. The holiday was reinstated in 2014 after being canceled by Viktor Yanukovych.
On November 20, Vilnius Airport temporarily restricted its airspace due to a suspected balloon flyover, causing delays for over 1,100 passengers and about ten flights. The airport fully resumed operations around 7:55 PM local time.
Lithuania is reopening two border crossings with Belarus that were temporarily closed due to smuggler weather balloon flights. The government's decision comes after a reduction in airspace incidents, which previously led to the closure of Vilnius Airport.
European Commissioner for Defence Andrius Kubilius stated that Ukrainian troops could be deployed to defend the EU's eastern borders from Russia after the end of hostilities. He noted that the Ukrainian army has the most experienced military personnel in Europe.
EU Defense Commissioner Andrius Kubilius stated in Vilnius that Europe is not ready to detect and destroy Russian drones with economically effective means. He emphasized the need to include Ukraine in the common defense.
Latvia and Estonia are ready to show solidarity with Vilnius over Belarusian contraband balloons, said Lithuanian Prime Minister Ruginiene. Poland has already joined Lithuania, refusing to open its borders with Belarus.
Air traffic at Vilnius Airport was temporarily halted at 8:45 PM due to a threat from a weather balloon. The airport resumed operations at 9:50 PM, which was a record-breaking quick recovery.
Vilnius Airport was temporarily closed due to an unknown drone, which turned out to be a civilian drone. The airspace was reopened at 10:18 local time.
In October 2025, Lithuania recorded 275 attempts of illegal border crossing from Belarus, almost half of which occurred in the last five days of the month. This is a record for the last six months, which happened after the closure of checkpoints due to drone cigarette smuggling.
Lithuanian authorities temporarily closed the airspace over Vilnius due to balloons from Belarus, which was the sixth such incident in October. This led to two flights being turned back and increased control at the border with Belarus.
A new DNA study of Napoleon Bonaparte's soldiers has revealed previously undocumented diseases, such as paratyphoid and relapsing fever, which affected the failure of the French troops in 1812. These infections, along with cold and hunger, led to the mass deaths of soldiers in the Russian Empire.
Lithuania will start shooting down smuggler balloons from Belarus that have repeatedly violated the country's airspace. This decision was made after Vilnius airport was closed four times due to such incidents.
Lithuania has temporarily closed the "Šalčininkai" and "Medininkai" border crossings with Belarus due to balloon flights. Vilnius International Airport has also suspended operations until morning.
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda stated the need to consider restricting transit to Kaliningrad and a long-term closure of the border with Belarus. This is a response to a hybrid attack against Lithuania, which included the shutdown of airports due to balloons from Belarus.
On the evening of October 24, Lithuania closed two of its largest airports and border crossing points with Belarus. This happened due to air balloons flying from the Belarusian side.
Traffic at Vilnius Airport was temporarily suspended on October 21 due to dozens of balloons carrying smuggled cigarettes from Belarus. Eight flights were diverted to Kaunas and Warsaw.
In recent months, at least ten European countries have reported drone incursions into their airspace, raising concerns and leading to increased security measures. Romania, Poland, Denmark, Finland, Norway, France, Germany, Lithuania, Estonia, and Belgium have witnessed these incidents, some of which are linked to Russia.
Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania are developing emergency action plans that include the evacuation of hundreds of thousands of people in the event of a Russian military buildup or attack. This is a response to Russia's massive military spending and its invasion of Ukraine.
Lithuania is lowering the level of physical protection for Belarusian opposition figure Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, transferring her protection to the Criminal Police Bureau. This decision, which came into force on October 1, was made based on a risk assessment and will allow for a review of security costs, which previously reached one million euros per year.
On Saturday evening, the airspace over Vilnius International Airport was restricted, likely due to spotted balloons. Flights are being diverted to alternate airfields in Kaunas, Riga, and Gdansk.
Russian special services allegedly planned a terrorist attack in Poland using cans of explosives disguised as canned corn. According to the Polish publication, a GRU courier was supposed to bury them in a cemetery near Łódź.
