Lithuania allocates €800,000 from reserve for overtime pay in balloon response

The Lithuanian government plans to allocate €800,000 from its reserve fund to cover overtime pay for officials combating contraband balloons, LRT reports, citing BNS.

Acting Interior Minister Vladislav Kondratovičius said the funds would address costs tied to the “extreme situation,” including additional night patrols, fuel, and overtime wages. Many officers are deployed from other regions, increasing operational expenses.

The proposed allocation would distribute funds to three law enforcement agencies: €387,900 to the police, €382,600 to the State Border Guard Service, and €20,600 to the Public Security Service.

A government document notes that institutions involved in managing the situation are operating under “unusual, constantly changing threat conditions.”

The emergency, triggered by contraband balloons entering Lithuania from Belarus, has been in effect since December 9, 2025. This marks the first time reserve funds have been earmarked for overtime pay in such cases.

The Interior Ministry stated that current budget allocations cannot be redistributed to increase funding for these agencies.