Overview
- Lithuania will keep Šalčininkai closed and restrict Medininkai through Nov. 30, with passage allowed for diplomats, certain EU and NATO nationals, humanitarian visa holders, and Kaliningrad transit.
- The EU issued a joint condemnation of the incursions as part of a broader hybrid campaign after Hungary pushed to dilute direct blame, and warned of potential further measures.
- Repeated balloon sightings carrying contraband forced multiple suspensions at Vilnius Airport in recent days, with authorities arresting suspected receivers on the ground.
- An inter-agency task force is in place and draft Criminal Code changes would add offenses for threats to civil aviation and tighten penalties for smuggling by air.
- Lithuania’s leaders are weighing a shift from air policing to air defense, including the option to intercept or shoot down violators, while Belarus’ president denied responsibility and criticized the border curbs.