How Belarus is using cigarette-stuffed balloons to sow chaos in Lithuania as part of Putin’s ‘hybrid war’
Belarusian president promises to stop the weather balloons
- Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has promised to stop weather balloons flying into Lithuania after pressure from a US envoy.
- Lithuania declared a state of national emergency following a surge in balloons, many smuggling cigarettes, originating from Belarus.
- Around 600 smuggling balloons and 200 drones have entered Lithuanian airspace in the past year, causing significant disruption, including at Vilnius airport.
- Experts suggest these balloon incursions are part of a deliberate ”hybrid attack” strategy by Belarus, aimed at pressuring Lithuania into negotiations and destabilising the country.
- The Lithuanian government's emergency declaration is also seen as a move to highlight potential threats from the east to NATO allies, amid concerns about regional security.