Lithuania declares state of emergency over balloons from Belarus

9/12/2025 17:48

Lithuania's government on Tuesday declared a state of emergency over smuggler balloons originating in Belarus that have disrupted aviation, and asked parliament to allow the military to operate alongside police and border guards.



Vilnius airport has been closed repeatedly due to the weather balloons, which Lithuania says are sent by smugglers transporting cigarettes and constitute a "hybrid attack" by Belarus, a close ally of Russia.



"The state of emergency is announced not only due to civil aviation disruptions but also due to interests of national security," Interior Minister Vladislav Kondratovic told a government meeting that was streamed live on Tuesday.



Belarus has denied responsibility for the balloons and accused Lithuania of provocations including sending a drone to drop "extremist material", which Lithuania denies.



The Lithuanian government asked parliament to grant the military powers to act in concert with police, border guards and security forces during the state of emergency, as well as on its own, Kondratovic said.