Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko has blasted Lithuania’s border closure as a “crazy scam,” accusing Vilnius of fueling hybrid warfare and risking trade routes. Tensions are rising with both sides escalating border and security measures.⁣ ⁣ After a series of balloons crossed from Belarus last week, Lithuania warned on Monday it would shoot them down and that the Belarus border crossings would be shut except for travel by diplomats and by EU citizens leaving the neighboring country.⁣ ⁣ The Baltic nation has said the balloons, which have repeatedly interrupted its air traffic, are sent by smugglers moving contraband cigarettes into the EU, but it also blames Lukashenko for not stopping the practice.⁣ ⁣ Lithuania on Monday cast the flights as hybrid attacks, while the EU said the balloons were a "hybrid threat."⁣ ⁣ #belarus #lithuania #balloons #traderoutes #BorderTensions #Geopolitics