Lithuania Declares Emergency as Belarus Balloons Cause Security Concerns

Sun Dec 21 2025 12:08:07 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Lithuania has declared a nationwide emergency due to repeated incursions by balloons from Belarus carrying smuggled cigarettes, raising serious national security and aviation safety issues.

Lithuania's government has declared a nationwide emergency in response to a series of balloon incursions from Belarus. Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene identified these as a 'hybrid attack,' threatening national security. Over 600 balloons associated with cigarette smuggling and nearly 200 drones have violated Lithuanian airspace this year, prompting the closure of Vilnius airport multiple times. Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko denies these claims, stating they are politically motivated. This situation follows previous tensions linked to irregular immigration and further escalates Lithuania's concerns regarding its safety.

The Lithuanian government has declared a 'nationwide emergency situation' in response to a series of incursions from neighbouring Belarus by weather balloons carrying smuggled cigarettes.

Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene condemned the balloon incursions as a 'hybrid attack' by Belarus that posed a real risk to national security and civil aviation.

This year alone, officials say about 600 balloons linked to smuggling and almost 200 drones have entered Lithuanian airspace, leading to the repeated closure of Vilnius airport.

Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko denies being behind the incursions, alleging the issue has been 'politicised' by Lithuania, a member of both the EU and NATO.

Lithuania's decision to impose an 'emergency situation' is a step below a state of emergency, which was last imposed in 2022 after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, giving the armed forces additional powers for a quicker response.

President Gitanas Nauseda stated that substantial evidence shows the balloon threats are a 'deliberate action aimed at destabilising Lithuania.' This follows a pattern of hybrid threats from Russia, including sabotage and disruption of critical infrastructure.

Last month, NATO's military committee head expressed considerations for a more aggressive stance towards Russia's hybrid warfare.

Lithuania previously accused Belarus of similar provocations, notably with regards to irregular immigrants crossing the Belarusian border. In response to recent threats, Lithuania temporarily closed two border checkpoints with Belarus, leading to further tensions.

In the wake of these developments, both aviation security and international laws are being highlighted regarding such incursions. Ruginiene warned that these actions could be interpreted as terrorism.

The weather balloons can reach an altitude of 10 km (6 miles), and their presence has caused interruptions at Vilnius airport affecting tens of thousands of passengers. Lukashenko dismissed Lithuanian claims as unrealistic and suggested that there was no intent for conflict.