Lithuania declares state of emergency over smuggler balloons from Belarus

"Vilnius has accused Minsk, a close ally of Russia, of mounting a hybrid attack, with the flights into Lithuanian airspace leading to the repeated closure of the country's airports in recent months. In combating the Belarusian hybrid attack, we must take the strictest measures and defend the areas most affected, Ruginiene said. All institutions are joining forces to address the threat posed by smuggling balloons."

"The balloons are widely used by smugglers to illicitly transport cigarettes into Lithuania, but Interior Minister Vladislav Kondratovic said it is believed that Minsk is involved in orchestrating the flights. The emergency declaration will allow the military to take part in border patrols alongside police and border guards. Meanwhile, prosecutors have launched an investigation, and the secret services will provide information about the connection with the Belarusian state, the minister added."

"The measure comes amid widespread concern in Europe that, as its war in Ukraine grinds on, Russia is increasingly using hybrid warfare, including sabotage and espionage, and testing of NATO defences. Tension is particularly high in Europe's eastern stretches that border Russia and Belarus. Lithuania declared an emergency in 2021 due to an influx of migrants across its border with Belarus, which it also described as a hybrid attack. Poland has been tussling with a similar situation in recent years."

Lithuania declared an emergency after an influx of meteorological balloons launched from neighbouring Belarus, which are suspected to be operated by Belarusian security services and used for smuggling cigarettes. The flights have forced repeated airport closures and prompted accusations that Minsk is mounting a hybrid attack. The emergency allows the military to join police and border guards in patrols, and prosecutors and secret services have opened investigations into state connections. The situation feeds wider European concern that Russia and Belarus are employing hybrid warfare and testing NATO defences, heightening tensions along eastern borders.

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