Lithuania Enacts Emergency Measures Amid Rising Balloon Incursions from Belarus

The Lithuanian government has declared a national state of emergency as a response to the alarming uptick in balloon incursions from Belarus into its airspace. This state of emergency will remain in effect until the government decides to revoke it. To bolster security, the government has announced that the army will be deployed along the border with Belarus for three months to assist police in patrol and search operations targeting incoming individuals and cargo. This critical measure is pending confirmation from parliament, which is expected to vote on the issue Tuesday. Recent months have seen the temporary closure of Lithuania's border, particularly between late October and late November, attributed to these balloon incursions. The balloons, which resemble those used for meteorological observations, are reportedly being utilized to transport smuggled cigarettes. Following the onset of the war in Ukraine, many European Union border countries, including Lithuania, have tightened border security, leading to an increase in smuggling as traffickers seek alternative methods to bypass land transport. These balloons pose significant risks due to their stealthy nature; they are challenging for pilots to detect, and shooting them down presents substantial dangers to the populated areas over which they fly. The incursion of these balloons has resulted in several logistical complications for Lithuania, including the temporary closure of Vilnius Airport. Moreover, the Lithuanian government has accused Belarus, a close ally of Russia, of intentionally using these balloon incursions to destabilize both Lithuania and, by extension, the European Union. As the situation develops, the emphasis remains on maintaining national security and safeguarding citizens from external threats. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2 • Source 3