Lithuania's government has declared a national emergency, attributing the decision to security threats from meteorological balloons dispatched from Belarus. These balloons have breached Lithuanian airspace multiple times in recent weeks, prompting significant disruptions, including the temporary closure of the nation's main airport, which left thousands of travelers stranded.

The Lithuanian authorities perceive the balloon incursions as part of a deliberate campaign by Belarus, a country closely allied with Russia, intended to destabilize the nation amid ongoing regional tensions. Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene emphasized the necessity of stringent defensive measures to counteract what she termed as a Belarusian hybrid attack.

In response to the airspace violations, the Lithuanian cabinet

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