Tuesday, October 28, 2025-Lithuania has issued a stark warning to Belarus, declaring it will shoot down any unidentified or suspicious balloons crossing its airspace.
The announcement follows a series of recent incursions believed to be surveillance or propaganda-related, escalating concerns about hybrid tactics being used to test NATO’s eastern borders. Officials in Vilnius said the move is necessary to protect national security amid what they describe as “provocations meant to destabilize.”
The warning sparked immediate diplomatic tension across the region. Belarus denied sending any aerial devices, accusing Lithuania of fabricating threats to justify militarization near the border.
NATO members, however, expressed solidarity with Lithuania, viewing the incident as part of a broader pattern of gray-zone tactics by Minsk and its ally, Moscow. Citizens living near the frontier reported unease, as air patrols and defense alerts intensified overnight.
Analysts interpret Lithuania’s firm stance as both a deterrent and a signal of growing vigilance along Europe’s eastern flank. With the war in Ukraine continuing and regional mistrust deepening, even minor incidents risk igniting larger confrontations.
As the skies grow more contested, the delicate balance between caution and confrontation could determine how far this new phase of European tension goes.
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