• Lithuania has declared a state of emergency due to incursions from smuggler balloons from Belarus.
• The balloons are reportedly used to transport contraband cigarettes and have disrupted air travel.
• Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene labeled the situation a "hybrid attack" on national security.
• Military and police will collaborate in border security efforts as part of the emergency measures.
• Belarus denies the accusations, claiming Lithuania is politicizing the issue.

Lithuania declared a state of emergency to address threats posed by smuggler balloons originating from Belarus. This decision was made due to ongoing incursions that have disrupted air travel and raised national security concerns. Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene emphasized the seriousness of the situation, which she described as a "hybrid attack" from Belarus, where officials claim that the balloons, used to smuggle cigarettes, are now likely being operated by the Belarusian security services, impacting airports extensively, including Vilnius Airport which has faced over 60 hours of operational disruptions this year, affecting approximately 51,000 passengers, according to Reuters and Al Jazeera.

The emergency declaration grants enhanced operational capabilities to the military, enabling collaboration with police and border guards in patrolling affected areas. Minister of the Interior Vladislav Kondratovic noted the urgency needed in combating this situation, stating, "In combating the Belarusian hybrid attack, we must take the strictest measures", according to BBC and Al Jazeera.

Amidst these tensions, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko responded by denying responsibility, asserting that the incidents have been exaggerated by Lithuania for political gains. He went so far as to dismiss the accusations, calling them improbable and indicating a lack of intent for conflict, as he stated, "We don’t need war", according to Reuters and BBC.

This latest emergency is a continuation of Lithuania's heightened security measures, as the country previously imposed states of emergency in response to illegal migration from Belarus and fears stemming from Russia's aggressive posture in the region. The Lithuanian government believes that the ongoing breaches are indicative of a coordinated attempt to destabilize the country, which President Gitanas Nauseda contends has a significant amount of evidence supporting these claims. This has led Lithuania to bolster its security in response to what it perceives as hybrid warfare tactics employed by Belarus and its ally, Russia, according to BBC and Al Jazeera.