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Lithuania Declares Emergency Amid Belarus Balloon Accusations

12/10/2025

Summary

Story summary

On December 10, 2025, Lithuania accused Belarus of launching weather balloons as part of a "hybrid attack," prompting a nationwide state of emergency.
The Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene seeks indefinite military powers to manage the situation, enabling troops to restrict access.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko denied the allegations, labeling them exaggerated and politicized.
Lukashenko also suggested that evidence points to the balloons being launched from within the Baltic states.

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Story summary

On December 10, 2025, Lithuania accused Belarus of launching weather balloons as part of a "hybrid attack," prompting a nationwide state of emergency.
The Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene seeks indefinite military powers to manage the situation, enabling troops to restrict access.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko denied the allegations, labeling them exaggerated and politicized.
Lukashenko also suggested that evidence points to the balloons being launched from within the Baltic states.