A diplomatic standoff escalated after contraband balloons breached Lithuanian airspace, forcing prolonged limits at Vilnius airport and prompting urgent demands for action.

The Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed a protest to Belarus over airspace violations by smuggling balloons and the growing flow of illegal migrants.

According to an official statement by the Lithuanian MFA, on April 10 another protest was considered in response to the launch from Belarusian territory on April 9 of smuggling balloons that violated Lithuania’s airspace and posed a threat to civil aviation. As a result of this incident, the airspace over Vilnius Airport was restricted for more than seven hours.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 10 April voiced a firm protest to Belarus over the launch from Belarusian territory on 9 April of smuggling balloons that violated Lithuania’s airspace and posed a threat to civil aviation. Because of this incident, the airspace over Vilnius Airport was restricted for more than seven hours.”

– in a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania

The MFA also noted the growth of organized illegal migration flows from Belarus. It is noted that since the beginning of the year Lithuanian border guards have stopped 347 attempts to illegally cross the state border.

Reaction and Further Steps

Lithuania demanded that Belarus immediately take measures to stop the systematic violations of airspace and the land border.

In December 2025 the Lithuanian government declared a state of emergency across the country due to the prolonged influx of balloons used for smuggling from Belarus.

At the end of October Lithuania closed its border with Belarus for more than two weeks in response to repeated airspace violations by balloons used to smuggle.

The situation continues to be adjusted with the involvement of the appropriate services, and Lithuania states its readiness to improve measures to protect its airspace, civil aviation and national security. The government emphasizes its readiness to strengthen controls and cooperate with partners to prevent further incidents.