The keys
nuevo
Generated with AI
nuevo
Generated with AI
The Government of Lithuania declared on Tuesday the state of emergency following the shipment of balloons with contraband cargo from Belarus that have interrupted air traffic and asked Parliament for authorization for the Army to operate in coordination with the Police and border guards.
Vilnius airport has been forced into more than sixty temporary closures in recent weeks due to the presence of these balloons which, according to Lithuania, are sent by smugglers who they transport cigarettes and constitute a “hybrid attack” by Belarus, Russia’s main ally on European soil.
“The state of emergency is declared not only due to disruptions in civil aviation, but also for national security reasons“Declared Interior Minister Vladislav Kondratovic in a government meeting broadcast live. Alexander Lukashenkothe Belarusian president, has denied responsibility and accused Lithuania of exaggerating the problem and “politicizing” it.
“The population will not experience any inconvenience as a result of this declaration,” said Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene. The “threat” of “balloons carrying contraband cargo” has affected more than 350 flights and some 51,000 passengers.
Powers for the Army
The Lithuanian Government, on the other hand, asked Parliament to grant the Army powers to act in coordination with the Police, border guards and security forces during the state of emergency.
If this measure is approved, the Army will have permission to limit access to Lithuanian territory, stop and search vehicles, carry out checks people, their documents and belongings and arrest those who resist or are suspected of crimes.
Image of a balloon intercepted in Lithuania carrying several packages of tobacco.
The Army could use force for these functions, as confirmed by Defense Minister Robertas Kaunas. The national emergency measures will last until the Government considers it appropriate.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen declared on December 1 that the situation at the border was worsening and called the balloon incursions a “hybrid attack” by Belarus, something “completely unacceptable.”
Lithuania also imposed a state of emergency in 2021 in the border region with Belarus due to what it called a Minsk campaign to send migrants illegally. The following year, Vilnius reactivated this measure after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, fearing that its territory could also become a military objective for Moscow.