Lithuania has declared a state of emergency after a surge of smuggler balloons crossing from Belarus repeatedly disrupted national airspace and forced the temporary closure of Vilnius Airport. Authorities say the balloons, allegedly used to transport illegal cigarettes, represent a “hybrid attack” that threatens both civil aviation and national security. Belarus denies any involvement, accusing Lithuania of staging provocations, while President Alexander Lukashenko dismissed the situation as exaggerated and “politicised”.

The Lithuanian government has asked parliament to grant expanded powers to the military, allowing them to support police and border guards during the emergency period. If approved, the army would be allowed to restrict movement, search vehicles and people, control access to designated areas, and detain suspects using force when necessary. The measures will remain in place until the government lifts the state of emergency.

The tensions follow previous border disputes between the neighbouring states. Lithuania has twice imposed emergencies in recent years — once in 2021 over allegations that Belarus was sending migrants across the border, and again in 2022 after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine heightened fears of regional instability. The European Commission recently condemned the balloon incidents as an “unacceptable hybrid attack” by Belarus.

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