Nationwide Emergency Declared in Lithuania Over Smuggler Balloons

(MENAFN) Lithuania on Tuesday announced a nationwide emergency in response to a surge of smuggling balloons launched from neighboring Belarus, the government said.

In an official statement, the Lithuanian authorities cited the “continuing threat to the national security interests of the state and the danger to human life, health, property, and/or the environment posed by the attacks of balloons carrying contraband and launched from Belarus into the territory of Lithuania.”

“It’s clear that this emergency is being declared not only because of disruptions to civil aviation, but also due to national security concerns and the need for closer coordination among institutions,” Interior Minister Vladislav Kondratovic said during a Cabinet meeting, according to a broadcaster.

Kondratovic emphasized that the measures are narrowly targeted and designed “not [to] cause disruptions” to daily life.

The government also approved a plan to expand powers for troops during the emergency, allowing them to issue mandatory orders, detain individuals who disobey or are suspected of violations, restrict access and traffic, halt work, conduct inspections, and deploy specialized equipment.

The proposal is set to reach parliament on Tuesday under expedited procedures. If approved, the enhanced powers will remain in place for three months.

Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene reportedly said last week that the special legal framework is intended to help joint teams intercept smuggling balloons more efficiently. She added that the government acted on expert advice and did not rule out “going further,” potentially toward a stricter state of emergency, which only parliament can authorize.

Smuggling balloons from Belarus have repeatedly disrupted operations at Vilnius Airport in recent months and affected Kaunas Airport once.

Interior Ministry figures show that roughly 600 smuggling balloons and 200 drones have entered Lithuania’s airspace this year, causing disruptions to over 300 flights, affecting 47,000 passengers, and leading to around 60 hours of airport closures.

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