Jens Asbjørn Bøgen
The country is reportedly also considering calling up 5000 conscripts as well.
A week marked by yet another sudden shutdown at Vilnius Airport has pushed Lithuania’s leaders toward a major decision.
As investigators trace the latest disruption to balloons drifting in from Belarus, officials say national security concerns are reaching a critical point.
With closures mounting and frustrations rising, the government is preparing to escalate its response.
According to LRT, Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė said Friday that a state of emergency will be introduced next week, pending expert assessments.
Additionally, the government is considering calling up 5000 conscripts too, TRTWorld reports.
Mounting airspace intrusions
Vilnius Airport, roughly 30 kilometres from the Belarusian border, has been forced to suspend operations more than ten times since early October, according to local authorities.
Officials told national media the objects triggering the shutdowns were balloons launched from Belarus — devices they view as components of a wider hybrid campaign linked to Minsk’s alliance with Moscow.
Belarusian President Aleksander Lukashenko has long maintained close ties with Vladimir Putin and has allowed Russian forces to operate from Belarusian territory. Lithuanian officials argue the balloon flights reflect those political dynamics and carry risks for civil aviation.
Safety fears rise
Prime Minister Ruginienė said the decision to enact emergency measures is based on expert warnings about escalating hazards.
“I am listening to their [experts] opinion, but we will announce it [state of emergency] next week,” she told reporters, adding that tougher steps may follow if conditions deteriorate.
Authorities in Vilnius estimate they have intercepted more than 500 balloons this year. According to government briefings reported by Lithuanian media, many carried contraband cigarettes or GPS devices.
Security officials warn future launches could include surveillance tools or even explosive materials.
Strategic implications
The country’s defence planners say the incursions allow Russia to assess weak spots along NATO’s eastern perimeter each time the balloons drift across the border.
The concern is shared by former Deputy Foreign Minister Darius Jurgelevičius, who told Poland’s TVP channel that Belarus is intensifying hybrid pressure on Lithuania.
He argued the pattern of incidents is designed to probe national resilience and could eventually spread to other European and NATO members.
Jurgelevičius urged Vilnius to avoid direct negotiations with Minsk, advocate stronger EU sanctions on Belarus, and deny Moscow or Minsk any symbolic advantage.
Border fortifications
Lithuania has taken earlier steps to reinforce its frontiers. In August, authorities strengthened defences along the border with Russia’s Kaliningrad exclave, installing rows of anti-tank “dragon’s teeth” concrete blocks as part of broader deterrence measures.
Sources: Reuters, BBC, AP, LRT
