Name: Lithuania declares state of emergency over balloon incursions
Uploaded: 2025-12-09T15:15:57.433Z
Duration: 1 min 5 s
Description: The Baltic state says the cigarette-laden balloons originating from Moscow-allied Belarus are a form of hybrid attack and a threat to its national security.

The Baltic state says the cigarette-laden balloons originating from Moscow-allied Belarus are a form of hybrid attack and a threat to its national security.

Vilnius

The Lithuanian government has declared a state of emergency in response to repeated airspace violations by balloons sent from Belarus. These balloons, reportedly used to smuggle cigarettes, have been described by officials as deliberate acts of disruption orchestrated by Belarusian authorities.

The incursions have led to the closure of Lithuania's main airport on several occasions, stranding thousands of travelers, and prompted the temporary closure of the Belarusian border. The government has requested parliamentary approval to allow the military to work alongside police and border officials during the emergency, with no specified end date for the measures.

Lithuania declares state of emergency over balloon incursions

Lithuania's government has declared a state of emergency over security risks posed by smuggler balloons from Belarus that have violated its airspace in recent weeks. The balloons are used to smuggle cigarettes into Lithuania, but officials say they are deliberate acts of disruption orchestrated by Belarus. Tensions between Vilnius and Minsk have escalated after the balloons forced Lithuania to repeatedly close its main airport in the past weeks, leaving thousands of people stranded. Authorities also closed the Belarusian border for several weeks in late October due to the balloon threats. Announcing the state of emergency, the Lithuanian government cited national security interests and the threat to human life, property and the environment from the balloons. The government has asked Parliament to allow the military to work together with police, border guard and security officials during the state of emergency. It was not immediately clear how long the state of emergency would last.

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