Lithuania mulls longer border closure after dozens of weather balloons enter from Belarus

October 27, Pozirk. More weather balloons carrying contraband cigarettes were launched from Belarus into Lithuania last night than the night before, according to Vilmantas Vitkauskas, head of the Baltic country’s National Crisis Management Centre (NCMC).

Speaking to LRT, Vitkauskas said that 66 flying objects were recorded entering Lithuanian airspace—roughly twice as many as on October 25. So far, only one balloon has been recovered, while officers continue searching for the rest.

Vilnius Airport suspended operations for the third consecutive night on Sunday due to repeated airspace violations. The airport was initially closed until 1:40 a.m. local time on October 27, but, according to Lithuanian media, flights did not resume until 4:30 a.m.

In addition, Lithuania has closed two checkpoints on the Belarusian border—Medininkai and Šalčininkai—until further notice.

Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė has scheduled a meeting of the National Security Commission for today to discuss the government’s response to the balloon incursions. Ruginienė warned that the commission may decide to keep the border closed for an extended period.

Lithuania regards these incidents as deliberate provocation and an escalation of tensions, the country’s foreign ministry said.

Politics

Politics

Tensions rise as smugglers’ balloons keep disrupting cross-border, air traffic in Lithuania

October 26, Pozirk. Lithuania closed its airspace and checkpoints at the border with Belarus for several hours last night over another incursion of weather balloons launched from Belarus and typically used by cigarette smugglers, the Lithuanian State Border Guard Service …

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