Lithuania closes its border with Belarus after smuggling balloon incursions
Vilnius (AFP) – Lithuania announced on Wednesday that it would close its border with Belarus for one month, citing the repeated intrusion of smuggling balloons carrying contraband cigarettes from Belarusian territory. The Lithuanian government described the move as a necessary response to a “hybrid attack” against its territorial integrity.
According to Lithuanian authorities, dozens of balloons have recently crossed into the country, disrupting air traffic. The Lithuanian Airports Authority (LTOU) reported that more than 140 flights and 20,000 passengers were affected in recent weeks by temporary closures at the Vilnius and Kaunas airports.
Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene announced that the border would remain closed until November 30, with the possibility of extension. “Vilnius cannot remain passive in the face of organized pressure aimed at testing our response capabilities,” she said.
The decision comes amid heightened tensions between Lithuania, a member of the EU and NATO, and Belarus, a close ally of Moscow. Minsk has denied any wrongdoing and called on Vilnius to “look for smugglers within its own territory.”
The border shutdown is expected to have economic and social repercussions, particularly for Belarusian workerscommuting daily to Lithuania and for ongoing trade exchanges. Exceptions will be made for EU citizens, residents, and humanitarian cases.
This latest episode adds to a series of border incidents since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, which have included accusations of migrant manipulation and hybrid warfare tactics.
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