Lithuania Declares State of Emergency as Migrant Balloons Flood from Belarus

Lithuania Declares State of Emergency Over Smuggler Balloons from Belarus Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene declared a state of emergency on Tuesday, citing an influx of meteorological balloons launched from neighboring Belarus. The balloons, previously used to smuggle cigarettes, are now suspected to be operated by Belarusian security services. The declaration came amid growing tension between Lithuania and Belarus over the balloons, which have repeatedly entered Lithuanian airspace, leading to the closure of the country's airports in recent months. According to reports, the balloons have been spotted entering Lithuanian airspace on multiple occasions, prompting the repeated closure of airports and border crossings. The Lithuanian government has accused Belarus of mounting a hybrid attack, with the flights into Lithuanian airspace seen as a deliberate attempt to disrupt the country's aviation and border security. The state of emergency was declared at 10:00 AM local time on Tuesday, with immediate effects including the shutdown of all airports and border crossings with Belarus. The Lithuanian government has also announced plans to shoot down any balloons that enter its airspace in the future. The tension between Lithuania and Belarus has been escalating in recent months, with the two countries having a long-standing dispute over issues such as border control and security. The use of balloons to smuggle goods and potentially gather intelligence has raised concerns about the security of the region. As the situation continues to unfold, the Lithuanian government has vowed to take all necessary measures to protect its citizens and maintain the security of its airspace and borders. The international community is closely monitoring the situation, with diplomats from the European Union and other organizations expressing concern about the escalation of tensions between Lithuania and Belarus.