Lithuania has escalated its response to what it describes as a coordinated ‘hybrid attack’ from Belarus, declaring a nationwide emergency situation following hundreds of unauthorized incursions by weather balloons and drones. These aerial vehicles, allegedly carrying smuggled cigarettes, have repeatedly penetrated Lithuanian airspace, creating significant disruptions to civil aviation and national security.
Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene condemned the ongoing provocations, stating they represent a deliberate campaign by Belarus to destabilize the situation. This year alone, approximately 600 smuggling-linked balloons and nearly 200 drones have entered Lithuanian territory, resulting in the repeated closure of Vilnius International Airport and affecting over 1,000 passengers. Authorities have intercepted 11 smuggling balloons, confiscating nearly 40,000 cigarette packets.
The emergency declaration grants the Lithuanian armed forces enhanced powers to respond more swiftly and effectively to these incursions. This measure falls just below a full state of emergency, last implemented during Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko has denied involvement, calling the accusations ‘politicized’ and insisting the balloons pose no actual threat to aviation. He expressed confusion over Lithuania’s motives, stating, ‘Do they want to fight us? We do not need war.’
The situation has broader implications for European security. Lithuania’s President, Gitanas Nauseda, asserts there is substantial evidence indicating the balloon campaign is a ‘deliberate action’ backed by Belarus’s key ally, Russia. This incident echoes previous hybrid tactics, including the 2021 migrant crisis orchestrated by Belarus along its border with Lithuania.
In retaliation to border checkpoint closures by Lithuania, Belarus has barred Lithuanian trucks from its roads, leaving hundreds of vehicles stranded. The EU has consistently condemned such activities as part of a wider ‘hybrid campaign’ by Russia, which includes sabotage and disruptions to critical infrastructure. NATO is reportedly considering a more ‘pro-active’ stance in response to these evolving hybrid warfare tactics.
