Lithuania declares emergency situation over Belarus balloons

Lithuania declared a nationwide emergency situation in response to repeated incursions from Belarus involving weather balloons carrying smuggled cigarettes. Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene characterized these incursions as a "hybrid attack" posing risks to national security and civil aviation. Lithuanian officials report approximately 600 balloons and 200 drones have entered their airspace this year, leading to airport closures. The emergency declaration, a step below a state of emergency, grants the armed forces additional powers to respond. Lithuania accuses Belarus, a close ally of Russia, of deliberately destabilizing the country, while Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko denies involvement. The situation follows previous accusations of Belarusian provocation, including a migrant border crisis in 2020, and recent border checkpoint closures by Lithuania.

Lithuania declared a national emergency on Tuesday in response to hundreds of suspicious weather balloons and drones entering its airspace from Belarus throughout 2025. Lithuanian officials accuse Belarus of launching these devices, primarily to smuggle cigarettes, as part of a hybrid attack campaign. The balloons and drones have disrupted air traffic, causing over 350 flight delays and cancellations since October, impacting approximately 51,000 passengers and costing over 750,000 euros. The declared emergency aims to bolster security, tighten border controls, and allow faster coordination between military and civilian security services to counter the threat. While Russia and Belarus deny involvement, NATO and the EU are grappling with how to respond to such hybrid attacks.

Lithuania declared a state of emergency on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, due to an influx of meteorological balloons launched from Belarus. Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene cited the need for strict measures to combat what Lithuania views as a Belarusian "hybrid attack." While the balloons have been used for cigarette smuggling, authorities now suspect the Belarusian security services are operating them. The emergency declaration allows the military to assist police and border guards in patrols, and an investigation has been launched to determine the Belarusian state's involvement. This action comes amid broader European concerns that Russia, a close ally of Belarus, is using hybrid warfare tactics to test NATO defenses.