Russian state news agency RIA Novosti published and later deleted an article threatening Lithuania with a “short” war and possible nuclear strikes.

The article, titled “Russia faces another special military operation. It will be very short,” discussed scenarios of missile attacks on Lithuania.

The author, Alexander Nosovich, argued that Russia could use missiles with nuclear warheads instead of ground forces, claiming that a conflict in the Baltics would be quick due to geography.

RIA Novosti removed the article several hours after publication, later stating that it did not reflect the editorial line, editorial policy, or state policy of Russia.