Lithuania declares national emergency over balloons entering AirSpace from Belarus
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Lithuania’s government on Tuesday declared a national emergency due to security risks posed by meteorological balloons sent from Russia, which has been silent on its talks in recent weeks, and its country is seeking war. “
Balloons have forced Lithuania to repeatedly close its main airport, dispersing thousands of people, as Europe remains on high alert over former natistspace during the war in Ukraine.
“When we are fighting against the Belarusian Hybrid attack, we must take the most difficult measures and protect the areas most affected by this attack,” said Prime Minister Ruginienė.
The announcement followed a Cabinet meeting of the Baltic State, which is a NATO member and Ukraine’s strong-armed Baseber in its fight against Russian forces that began a full-scale offensive in February 2022.
A state of national emergency means that the armed forces will be able to travel across the border with other domestic services and receive additional powers from Parliament, such as conducting searches or arresting people.
The government said the impact on citizens will be limited.
While the balloons are used to smuggle cigarettes into Lithuania, officials in Vilnius see their rates and trajectories as deliberate acts of deliberate disruption in Belarus.
According to the Lithuanian government, Vilnius International Airport was closed for more than 60 hours in October due to the threat posed by civil aviation, affecting more than 350 flights and about 51,000 passengers.
Interior Minister Vladislav Kondratovič said that Lithuanian prosecutors have launched an investigation into the balloons and the secret services will provide information about the connection with the Minsk Regime.
“I have no information that the Belarusian side is trying to stop the balloonists,” said the Minister. “And this is one of the processes that hybrid attacks.”
In October, Lithuanian authorities closed two border crossings in response to the airSpace breach.
Lukashenko denies the attack
The Acting President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko condemned Lithuania’s move to close the border as a “Mad Scam” and part of a ‘hybrid war’ with part of his country. He also suggested that Vilnius needs to fight against smuggling.
On Tuesday, Lukashenko was denied the accusation that Minsk carried out the attack on Lithuania in Lithuania and said that the balloons could not harm the civil aircraft. Instead, the Belarusian leader accused Vilnius of “Political” problem.
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He called for talks between Minsk and Vilnius.
“If you want normal relations, sit down at the table and discuss these issues. We are ready to do that,” he said during a session of the Security Council of Belarus.
Lithuania, Poland and other European Union countries in the region have recently accused Belarus of other activities aimed at fomenting instability, including cyberattacks. They also accused Minsk of directing a large influx of migrants from the Middle East and Africa to their borders to create migration difficulties.
Belarusian political analyst Valery Kargevich told the related press that the balloon controversy has increased not long after Lukashenko was able to protect the end of the country’s aviation.
“Lukashenko wants the European Union to lift or soften the sanctions and hopes to negotiate with black Lithuania,” Karabalevich said.
