Lithuania declares state of emergency over Belarus balloon incursions

Lithuania’s government on Tuesday declared a state of emergency over security risks posed by balloons from Belarus that have violated its airspace in recent weeks, Euronews writes.

Tensions between Vilnius and Minsk have escalated after meteorological balloons originating from Belarus forced neighboring Lithuania to repeatedly close its main airport in the past weeks, leaving thousands of people stranded.

The publication notes that while the balloons are used to smuggle cigarettes into Lithuania, officials in the Baltic state say they are deliberate acts of disruption orchestrated by Russia-allied Belarus.

Announcing the state of emergency, the Lithuanian government cited “national security interests” and the threat to human life, property and the environment from the balloons.