Lithuania Declares National Emergency Over Influx of Smuggler Balloons from Belarus

Emergency Declaration Amid Rising Tensions

Lithuania's Prime Minister, Inga Ruginiene, announced on Friday, December 5, 2025, that the country intends to declare a national 'emergency situation' due to a continuous influx of smuggler balloons launched from neighboring Belarus. The Prime Minister stated that the legal basis and documents for this measure are currently being prepared, deeming it 'the best course of action at this time'. This declaration aims to enable the government and local authorities to allocate additional resources to counter the balloon incursions.

The move comes as tensions between the two nations escalate, with Lithuania, a member of NATO and the European Union, accusing Belarus of orchestrating 'hybrid warfare' tactics. European Defence Commissioner Andrius Kubilius has been involved in discussions regarding the threat.

Disruption to Civil Aviation and Economic Impact

The balloons, primarily meteorological balloons laden with contraband cigarettes, have caused significant disruption to Lithuanian civil aviation. Both Vilnius and Kaunas airports have been forced to halt operations on multiple occasions throughout the autumn, affecting hundreds of flights and tens of thousands of passengers. Lithuanian officials claim these balloons, which can fly up to 10 kilometers high and sometimes weigh between 50-60 kilograms, are deliberately being launched into airport flight paths, constituting an attack on civil aviation. Over the past two months, airspace over Vilnius Airport was closed 13 times due to radar contacts characteristic of balloons, and Kaunas Airport's airspace was closed once.

The financial impact of these disruptions is substantial. Lithuanian Airports has estimated losses from flight delays and cancellations at over €750,000, and this figure is not yet final. The Lithuanian Prosecutor General's Office has initiated a pre-trial investigation into the incidents, and Lithuania is considering pursuing legal action through international judicial bodies.

Previous Measures and International Response

The current emergency declaration follows a series of measures taken by Lithuania to address the issue. In October, Lithuania closed two border crossings with Belarus in response to the amplified activity. Prime Minister Ruginiene had previously authorized the military to shoot down intruding balloons. Despite these actions, the number of balloons has continued to rise, with 599 balloons and 197 drones reportedly entering Lithuanian airspace.

The international community has also reacted to the situation. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has described the balloon incursions as 'hybrid attacks' and 'completely unacceptable', threatening further sanctions against Belarus. The ongoing situation has also led to other border-related issues, including Belarus preventing Lithuanian trucks from leaving its territory without paying a fee, which Vilnius has called 'being held hostage'.