The Lithuanian government has declared a “nationwide emergency situation” following repeated incursions from Belarus involving weather balloons carrying smuggled cigarettes. Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė described the incidents as a “hybrid attack” posing a threat to national security and aviation.
This year alone, around 600 balloons and almost 200 drones have entered Lithuanian airspace, causing repeated closures at Vilnius airport. Authorities intercepted 11 balloons and seized nearly 40,000 cigarette packets in October, leading to disruptions that affected some 30,000 passengers.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko denied involvement, calling the accusations “politicised” and insisting the balloons posed no danger. Lithuania has responded with border closures and by increasing the powers of the military under the emergency declaration, aiming for a faster response to such provocations.
The incident echoes previous hybrid threats from Russia and Belarus, including weaponized migrant flows and UAV incursions, raising concerns across NATO and the European Union about regional stability.
