Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene said Friday that the government will declare a national “emergency situation” following a spike in smuggling balloons launched from Belarus.
Ruginiene told reporters that officials are already preparing the necessary legal framework, calling the emergency designation “the most appropriate step right now.”
The measure will allow national and local authorities to draw on additional resources to counter the balloon incursions. She also signalled that tougher action remains possible, noting that the government “does not rule out” escalating to a formal state of emergency if required.
Lithuania’s main airports in Vilnius and Kaunas have repeatedly been forced to halt operations due to the balloons, which can reach altitudes of up to 10 kilometres (six miles). Although typically used for cigarette smuggling, authorities say the balloons are now being intentionally guided into aircraft routes, creating serious risks for civil aviation.
While such balloons have long been a feature along the Belarus border, only in recent months have they caused major disruptions, intensifying tensions between the neighbouring states.
Vilnius accuses Belarus — a close ally of Russia — of engaging in “hybrid warfare,” and the balloon incidents escalated sharply in October. Lithuania shut its last two remaining border crossings with Belarus later that month.
Belarus retaliated by restricting Lithuanian freight transport, barring trucks from using its roads or exiting the country without paying additional fees — a move Lithuania has described as effectively “holding them hostage.” Thousands of Lithuanian lorries remain backed up inside Belarus even as Minsk urges talks with Vilnius.
Instead of entering negotiations, Lithuania has pressed the European Union to impose tougher sanctions on Belarus.
Comments are closed.