Lithuania Declares National Emergency Over Security Risks from Belarusian Balloons

On December 9, 2025, Lithuania's government declared a national emergency due to security risks posed by meteorological balloons allegedly launched from Belarus. These balloons have violated Lithuanian airspace, prompting significant disruptions, including the closure of Vilnius International Airport for over 60 hours, affecting approximately 51,000 passengers and 350 flights. Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene emphasized the need for stringent measures to combat what she termed a "hybrid attack" from Belarus, stating, “In combating the Belarusian hybrid attack, we must take the strictest measures and defend the areas most affected by this attack.” The emergency declaration allows the military to patrol the border and conduct searches or detain individuals as necessary.

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Lithuanian officials assert that the balloons, which are reportedly used to smuggle cigarettes, represent a deliberate act of disruption orchestrated by the Belarusian government. Interior Minister Vladislav Kondratovic indicated that an investigation has been launched into the balloons, linking them to the Minsk regime. He stated, “I have no information that the Belarusian side is trying to curb the senders of the balloons,” reinforcing the view that this situation constitutes a hybrid attack. In response, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko dismissed these claims as unfounded, labeling Lithuania's actions as part of a “mad scam” and a “hybrid war” against his country.

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In light of Lithuania's accusations, President Lukashenko has called for negotiations, asserting that Belarus does not seek confrontation. He characterized the balloon situation as politicized and suggested that Lithuania's perception of the issue is exaggerated. Belarusian Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Sekreta echoed this sentiment, urging Vilnius to engage in dialogue rather than viewing contact with Belarus as a defeat. He stated, “For some reason, Lithuania perceives any contact at a political level with the Belarusian side as a defeat.”

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Lithuania's emergency declaration is not an isolated incident; it follows previous accusations against Belarus for facilitating migrant crossings and conducting cyber attacks aimed at destabilizing the region. The ongoing tensions between Lithuania and Belarus are further complicated by the broader geopolitical landscape, including the war in Ukraine and NATO's heightened alert status regarding airspace violations by Russia and Belarus. Critics argue that Lithuania's response may escalate tensions rather than resolve them, with some suggesting that the situation could be used to justify increased military spending and security measures.

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Discrepancies exist regarding the origins and implications of the balloons. While Lithuania attributes the launches to Belarus as part of a hybrid warfare strategy, Belarusian officials contend that evidence points to the balloons being launched from within the Baltic states, citing instances of SIM cards from Lithuania, Latvia, and Poland found in GPS devices attached to the balloons. This conflicting narrative highlights the complexities of the situation and the challenges in establishing a clear understanding of the events.

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• “In combating the Belarusian hybrid attack, we must take the strictest measures and defend the areas most affected by this attack,” — Inga Ruginiene, Prime Minister of Lithuania

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• “I have no information that the Belarusian side is trying to curb the senders of the balloons,” — Vladislav Kondratovic, Interior Minister of Lithuania

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• “If you want normal relations, sit down at the table and discuss these issues.” — Alexander Lukashenko, President of Belarus

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• “For some reason, Lithuania perceives any contact at a political level with the Belarusian side as a defeat,” — Igor Sekreta, Deputy Foreign Minister of Belarus

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