Balloon incidents & nuclear tests put NATO on edge amid fears of Russian attack

Lithuania, a NATO member, has indefinitely closed all border crossings with Belarus after repeated airspace violations involving balloons allegedly launched from Belarusian territory, believed to be used for cigarette smuggling. Vilnius International Airport temporarily suspended operations on Oct 26–27 after radar detected multiple balloons flying toward the capital—marking the third consecutive night and fourth time this month such incursions have occurred.