Lithuania declares state of emergency over Belarus balloons

Lithuania has declared a state of emergency over smuggler balloons from Belarus that have disrupted aviation.

Vilnius airport has been closed because of the balloons, which Lithuania says have been sent by smugglers transporting cigarettes in recent weeks.

It also says they constitutes a “hybrid attack” by Belarus, which is a close ally of Russia.

Lithuania is a NATO member and ally to Ukraine during its fight against Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.

On Tuesday Lithuania’s interior minister Vladislav Kondratovic told a government meeting: “The state of emergency is announced not only due to civil aviation disruptions but also due to interests of national security.”

Mr Kondratovic added that the Lithuanian government had asked parliament to grant the military powers to act with police, border guards and security forces during the state of emergency.

Should parliament agree, the army will be given permission to limit access to territory, stop and search vehicles, perform checks on people, their documents and belongings, and to detain those resisting or suspected of crimes.

Lithuania’s defence minister Robert Kaunas said the military would be permitted to use force for these functions.

Belarus has denied responsibility and accused Lithuania of provocations.

This includes sending a drone to drop “extremist material”, which Lithuania denies.

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The emergency measures in Lithuania will last until the government calls them off.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on 1 December the situation at the border was worsening.

She described the balloon incursions a “hybrid attack” by Belarus, and branded it “completely unacceptable”.