Balloons from Belarus impede operations at Vilnius Airport

Balloons flying into Lithuania from Belarusian airspace are disrupting operations at Vilnius Airport, according to reports. The situation has raised concerns about airspace security in the region.

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) continues to assess that Russia is increasingly engaging in both covert and overt attacks against Europe. Ongoing violations of airspace and non-conventional activities by Russia are considered part of what ISW refers to as "Phase Zero." This phase is characterized as a broader informational and psychological effort to prepare for a potential NATO-Russia conflict in the future.

ISW also maintains that Belarus acts as Russia"s de facto co-belligerent in the ongoing war in Ukraine. As such, incursions by Belarus into NATO airspace are viewed as part of Russia"s broader Phase Zero strategy.

For more on related coverage, see recent developments regarding unidentified drones detected near NATO Camp Reedo in Estonia.