Lithuania announced plans on December 9, 2025, to declare a nationwide state of emergency after months of smuggler balloons launched from Belarus repeatedly forced the closure of Vilnius Airport, disrupting hundreds of flights and affecting tens of thousands of passengers.
The Crisis
Lithuania’s government plans to declare an emergency situation due to threats to civil protection, according to advisors to Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas. The decision comes after Vilnius Airport has been forced to close more than 10 times since October 2025 due to balloons carrying contraband cigarettes entering Lithuanian airspace from Belarus.
The disruptions have affected approximately 320 flights and 45,000 passengers, causing losses exceeding €750,000. In late November, the airport was closed for 11 consecutive hours over a single weekend.
Military Powers Requested
The Lithuanian government is asking parliament to authorize military support for police and border guards, granting them expanded powers including:
- Authority to limit access to territory
- Power to stop and search vehicles
- Ability to check documents and detain suspects
- Permission to use force for these functions
EU Response
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called the balloon incursions a “hybrid attack” by Belarus that was “completely unacceptable” on December 1. The EU summoned a Belarusian representative and is considering new sanctions.
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys called for tougher sanctions on Belarus, saying “The EU must act decisively—protect member states, defend companies and their property, impose tougher sanctions on Belarus, and confront this escalation with unity and strength.”
Belarus Denial
Belarus has denied responsibility and accused Lithuania of provocations, including sending drones. The Belarusian government claims Lithuania is exaggerating the incidents and politicizing the situation.
Historical Context
This marks the third state of emergency declared by Lithuania in recent years:
- 2021: Emergency declared over Belarus allegedly sending migrants across the border illegally
- 2022: Emergency declared following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
- 2025: Emergency over smuggler balloons disrupting civil aviation
The Smuggling Operation
The balloons are believed to be part of a cigarette smuggling operation, carrying contraband across the border to evade EU customs duties and taxes. Lithuanian prosecutors have opened a pre-trial investigation into the smuggling operation.
Lithuania temporarily closed its border with Belarus for a month in late October, but reopened it ahead of schedule to resolve issues with carriers stuck on both sides.
Bottom Line
The balloon crisis represents the latest flashpoint in Lithuania’s tense relationship with Belarus, which Vilnius and Brussels view as a Russian proxy state. By weaponizing commercial smuggling operations to disrupt a NATO member’s civil aviation infrastructure, Belarus has escalated hybrid warfare tactics that blur the line between criminal activity and state-sponsored aggression.
The declaration of emergency powers—including potential military involvement in domestic law enforcement—underscores how seriously Lithuanian authorities view the threat to both aviation safety and national security.
