Lithuanian officials blame Belarus for recurring hybrid attacks using balloons, prompting repeated airport shutdowns and coordination with NATO allies.
The incident fuels rising tensions in the Baltics, where repeated Russian airspace violations and drone activity are heightening fears of provocations near NATO borders.
Authorities grounded flights on 18 October night after back-to-back sightings of suspected drones circling the runways, but no objects or suspects were found.
While Russian drones violate NATO airspace and generals warn of looming war with China and Russia, new polling shows Europeans losing the will to rearm — a trend that could cost the continent its readiness.
This latest incident comes amid mounting warnings over Russian provocations in the region. The Hungarian fighters are stationed in Lithuania under NATO’s air policing mission.