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Lithuania Temporarily Closes Two Belarus Border Crossings After Balloon Incursions Halt Flights

Officials link the launches to cigarette smuggling.

Overview

  • Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene ordered the Šalčininkai and Medininkai crossings shut until 12:00 local time on Saturday.
  • Vilnius and Kaunas airports suspended operations Friday night after meteorological balloons entered from Belarus.
  • The National Crisis Management Center tracked dozens of objects moving toward the DruskininkaiŠalčininkai area.
  • Ruginiene warned the border could be fully closed if mass launches continue, with the National Security Commission set to review further steps next week.
  • Lithuania previously faced similar incidents, including a 5 October case involving about 25 zonds that led to six arrests.