Wed Dec 10 02:57:07 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and a rewritten news article based on the provided text:
Summary:
Lithuania has declared a national emergency due to repeated airspace violations by meteorological balloons launched from Belarus. The balloons, suspected of being a form of hybrid warfare and used to smuggle cigarettes, have caused significant disruption to air traffic, leading to airport closures and affecting thousands of passengers. Lithuanian officials accuse Belarus of orchestrating these acts, while Belarusian President Lukashenko denies involvement and calls for negotiations to address border tensions, accusing Lithuania of politicizing the issue and hybrid attacks agains them. Both sides are trading accusations, escalating the already tense situation.
News Article:
Lithuania Declares National Emergency Over Belarusian Balloon Incursions
Vilnius, Lithuania – December 10, 2025 – The Lithuanian government declared a national emergency Tuesday in response to a surge of meteorological balloons originating from Belarus violating its airspace. Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene announced the move, citing security risks and accusing Belarus of orchestrating a “hybrid attack.”
The balloon incursions have repeatedly forced the closure of Vilnius Ciurlionis International Airport, disrupting over 350 flights and affecting approximately 51,000 passengers since October, according to government figures. Lithuanian officials suspect the balloons are used for smuggling cigarettes but believe the frequency and trajectory suggest a deliberate attempt to destabilize the country.
“In combating the Belarusian hybrid attack, we must take the strictest measures and defend the areas most affected by this attack,” Ruginiene stated. The declaration allows the Army to patrol border areas with expanded powers, including the right to conduct searches and detain individuals.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has vehemently denied any involvement in the airspace violations, dismissing the accusations as a “mad scam” and part of a “hybrid war” against his country. He claims the balloons pose no threat to civil aviation and accuses Lithuania of “politicizing” the issue. Lukashenko has called for negotiations between Minsk and Vilnius to resolve the escalating tensions.
“If you want normal relations, sit down at the table and discuss these issues. We are ready to do that,” Lukashenko stated during a security council session.
Despite Lukashenko’s denial, Lithuanian Interior Minister Vladislav Kondratovic maintains that the Belarusian government is not taking action to stop the balloon launches. “I have no information that the Belarusian side is trying to curb the senders of the balloons,” Kondratovic said, “And this is one of the proofs that this is a hybrid attack.”
The situation has further strained relations between Lithuania and Belarus, which have been tense in recent years. Lithuania, along with other EU nations in the region, has accused Belarus of orchestrating cyberattacks and directing migrants to their borders to create a migration crisis.
First Piper 