A NATO country is being targeted by balloons being launched from Belarus which could have spy cameras or even explosives.
Lithuania is set to declare a state of emergency next week as the country was forced to close Vilnius Airport on Wednesday as there were balloons in their airspace.
Balloons have crossed into Lithuania from Belarus and the airport has been closed 10 times since October due to similar incidents.
Officials believe this is part of a wider hybrid warfare which is being conducted by Belarus on behalf the Kremlin.
Lithuania’s Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė will declare a “state of emergency” next week and should the situation worsen, then they will not rule out the possibility “of going further.”
This past year Lithuania has intercepted more than 500 balloons from Belarus, they have been found carrying GPS trackers and illegal cigarettes.
Lithuanian officials have said the future violations could see the balloons carrying explosives or spy cameras.
Officials believe that these balloons are helping the Kremlin to find weak areas along NATO’s eastern flank.
Lithuania’s Prime Minister said, “I am listening to their [experts] opinion, but we will announce it [state of emergency] next week.
“If the situation worsens, we do not rule out the possibility of going further.”
