Overview
- Lithuania will keep the Šalčininkai crossing shut and heavily restrict Medininkai through Nov. 30, allowing limited passage for diplomats, EU and NATO citizens, Kaliningrad transit and humanitarian cases.
- The EU denounced the incursions as part of a targeted hybrid campaign and warned of further measures after language directly blaming Minsk was softened to secure Hungary’s support.
- Poland postponed reopening additional Belarus border crossings until at least mid-November after consultations with Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė.
- Vilnius set up a cross-agency task force, advanced criminal-code changes to address airborne threats, and signaled readiness to shoot down balloons while exploring a shift from air policing to air defense.
- Repeated balloon incursions forced multiple airport shutdowns and disrupted hundreds of flights in October, while President Alexander Lukashenko denied state responsibility, criticized the closures and said Belarus would apologize if involvement is proven.