Flights were suspended from 10:30pm on Tuesday until 6:30am on Wednesday, following sightings of illicit balloon traffic in Lithuanian airspace, the National Crisis Management Centre (NCMC) said.
Authorities believe the balloons were used to transport contraband cigarettes from Belarus. Thirty flights were cancelled, and incoming aircraft were diverted to Kaunas and Warsaw airports.
“This morning I already demanded that everyone come with concrete solutions,” Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė told reporters at a press conference on Wednesday. “We must find — not debate, but find — what to do.”
The country’s eastern border with Belarus was also closed after the incident. The NCMC said the balloons appeared to have been launched from multiple locations.
Ruginienė said she would convene a National Security Committee meeting on Wednesday afternoon and called on Belarus to take responsibility for the incursions.
It was the second time this month that cigarette-smuggling balloons forced the closure of Vilnius airport. On 5 October, Lithuanian authorities intercepted at least 11 balloons carrying 18,000 packs of illegal cigarettes.
The closures add to a string of recent disruptions to European airspace. Airports in Copenhagen, Munich and the Baltic states have reported drone-related delays in recent months.
The European Union has previously accused Russia of hybrid warfare activities in the region, though Moscow denies any involvement.
An investigation into the latest balloon incident is ongoing, officials said.
Iran's Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has promised to avenge the killing of his father, while U.S. President Donald Trump said Tehran and Washingto...
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his Omani counterpart Sayyid Badr Albusaidi have discussed arrangements to ensure the safe passage of shi...
The U.S. Department of Justice has ordered several New York Times journalists to testify before a federal grand jury. ...
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his Omani counterpart Sayyid Badr Albusaidi have discussed arrangements to ensure the safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz.
The U.S. Department of Justice has ordered several New York Times journalists to testify before a federal grand jury.
At least 44 people have died and more than one million have been stranded due to widespread flooding and landslides across southeastern Bangladesh, authorities said on Saturday (11 July).
More than 100 countries now spend more on servicing debt than on education, UNESCO has warned, as it called on governments and international lenders to expand the use of debt-for-education swaps.
At least 12 people have been killed in forest fires in Almeria in southern Spain, Andalucía’s emergency agency has said, as firefighters continue efforts to put out the blaze.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington has agreed to resume talks with Iran after Tehran requested further negotiations, but declared that last month's ceasefire between the two countries was "over".
Dozens of flights have been cancelled across East Asia as Super Typhoon Bavi approaches China. The typhoon, which has maximum sustained winds of 162 kph (100mph), is nearing a remote chain of Japanese islands, east of Taiwan on Friday.
What began as a fan-created chant just months ago has become one of the defining images of this year's FIFA World Cup, with Norway's "Viking Row" sweeping through stadiums, city streets and social media.
British police have arrested a 26-year-old man on suspicion of the murder of Ann Widdecombe, a former government minister whose death was announced on Friday.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his Omani counterpart Sayyid Badr Albusaidi have discussed arrangements to ensure the safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz.
The U.S. Department of Justice has ordered several New York Times journalists to testify before a federal grand jury.
A Miami-based tycoon wanted in Albania for allegedly laundering drug money is suspected of faking the deeds to land where Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner wants to build a controversial multi-billion dollar resort, the country’s organised crime agency said in case files reviewed by Reuters.
A 26-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murdering British politician Ann Widdecombe has been released and is no longer part of the investigation, UK police have said.
Russia launched a barrage of ballistic missiles at Ukraine’s capital early on Saturday, injuring at least 10 people, officials said. The attack came as Kyiv faces a shortage of air defence munitions while awaiting fresh supplies to counter Russian strikes.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment