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last mo.

Lithuania Shuts Belarus Border for One Month After Balloon-Borne Smuggling Incursions

Officials label the incursions a hybrid attack, prompting new rules to shoot down illegal balloons.

Dès 2021, les Lituaniens ont construit un mur métallique de quatre mètres de haut qui court sur les 678 kilomètres de frontière avec le Bélarus.
L'aéroport de Vinius, le 16 avril 2010. 
Le secrétaire général de l’OTAN, Mark Rutte, le 24 octobre dernier.
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Overview

  • Lithuania will close all land crossings with Belarus until November 30, with the government saying the measure may be extended.
  • The decision follows recent waves of balloons carrying contraband cigarettes that forced temporary closures at Vilnius and Kaunas airports, disrupting 142 flights and more than 20,000 passengers.
  • NATO signaled firm support, with Secretary General Mark Rutte citing ongoing Alliance air-surveillance operations, while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called the activity a hybrid threat.
  • Vilnius has authorized its armed forces to down unlawfully entering balloons, as Lithuanian data show hundreds of such incursions recorded this year.
  • Belarus denies involvement and called the accusations a provocation; Lithuania says rail transit to Russia’s Kaliningrad will continue and outlines exceptions for EU/NATO citizens, residents and humanitarian cases.