Nato member’s main airport shuts again after Belarusian balloons disrupt airspace

Wizz Air flight from Poland to London forced to divert due to ‘technical issue’
October 25, 2025

LATEST NEWS

Nato member’s main airport shuts again after Belarusian balloons disrupt airspace

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.Read more

Nato member Lithuania closed its capital airport late on Saturday and shut both crossings on the border with Belarus after helium weather balloons drifted into the Baltic country’s territory for a second consecutive day.

Traffic at Vilnius Airport was suspended until 2am, while the Belarus border will remain shut until the same time, Lithuanian officials said.

European aviation has repeatedly been thrown into chaos in recent weeks by drone sightings and other air incursions, including at airports in Copenhagen, Munich and the Baltic region.

The Vilnius airport also closed on Tuesday and Friday of this week and on October 5, each time due to balloons entering the capital’s airspace, authorities have said.

Lithuania has said balloons are sent by smugglers transporting contraband cigarettes, but it also blames Belarus president Alexander Lukashenko, a close ally of Russian president Vladimir Putin, for not stopping the practice.

Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene on Friday said the country’s National Security Commission will meet next week to assess the situation.

Share this post:

POLL

Who Will Vote For?

Other

Republican

Democrat

RECENT NEWS

Lithuania to shoot down rogue balloons following mass air traffic disruption

Lithuania draws up plans to shut Belarus border crossings indefinitely after balloon disruptions

Lithuania to shoot down rogue balloons following mass air traffic disruption

Lithuania to shoot down rogue balloons following mass air traffic disruption

Lithuania authorises shooting down of smuggling balloons from Belarus | Lithuania

Lithuania authorises shooting down of smuggling balloons from Belarus | Lithuania

Dynamic Country URL Go to Country Info Page