Approved event from Hybrid War Tracker
Headline: Smuggler balloons disrupt Vilnius Airport again in 'most intense' wave recorded this year
Short Summary: A wave of smuggler balloons launched from Belarus in late January 2026 forced multiple closures of Vilnius Airport, disrupting travel for over 1,700 passengers.
Extended Summary: On the night of January 27-28, 2026, Lithuanian authorities recorded the most intense wave this year of smuggler balloons launched from Belarus, with 42 flights detected on radar overnight. Vilnius Airport was forced to close repeatedly due to the balloon flights, disrupting travel for more than 1,700 passengers. By the following morning, authorities found eight smuggler balloons, detained four individuals, and discovered remnants of several balloons. Law enforcement and security services increased efforts to intercept smugglers. The surge in activity is suspected to have occurred with Belarusian regime knowledge. The airport was closed three times on January 27. Additionally, a smuggler balloon carrying a cargo of cigarettes landed in central Vilnius, resulting in an injury to a police officer when attempting to apprehend suspects. Lithuanian politicians have described these incursions as a hybrid attack by Minsk, and the Lithuanian government declared an emergency in mid-December 2025 due to similar balloon incursions threatening civil aviation.
A wave of smugglers' balloons launched from Belarus late on January 27, 2026, was the most intense recorded this year, forcing repeated closures of Vilnius Airport and disrupting travel for over 1,700 passengers. Lithuanian officials detected 42 balloon flights on radar overnight, far more than on previous occasions. Law enforcement detained four suspects and found eight balloons and remnants of others. The airport was closed three times that evening due to the balloon flights posing a risk to aviation. A smuggler balloon landed in central Vilnius, carrying refrigerated cigarettes; an officer was injured during attempts to apprehend perpetrators. Authorities deployed significant resources to prevent future incidents. Lithuanian politicians have called the balloon flights a form of hybrid attack supported by Belarus. The government had declared an emergency over such incursions in mid-December 2025.
Classified as aggressor event because it describes deliberate hostile actions by smugglers launching contraband balloons from Belarus causing repeated airport closures and disrupting civil aviation in Lithuania. Classified as defense prep event because Lithuanian law enforcement and authorities actively deployed resources, detained suspects, and declared an emergency to respond and prevent future incidents.
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