Lithuania accused Russian ally Belarus on Monday of hitting it with a "hybrid attack" after dozens of balloons loaded with contraband forced it to temporarily close airports last week.
Lithuania, a NATO and EU member, also shut its last two border crossings with neighbouring Belarus over the incident, which forced the airports in the capital Vilnius and the south-central city Kaunas to close because of balloons carrying illegal cigarettes -- a tactic often blamed on Belarusian smugglers.
"We consider this a hybrid attack," Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene told journalists, saying a lack of action by Belarus to detain those responsible for the balloons led her to believe the authorities were involved.
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European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that Europe stands in full solidarity with Lithuania against the continuous invasions of cigarette and helium balloons into its airspace, which led today to the temporary closure of Vilnius and Kaunas airports.
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