Belarus sends stranded trucks to Katłoŭka parking lots, advises drivers to go home

November 10, Pozirk. Belarus’ State Border Committee suspended the processing of outbound trucks with Lithuanian license plates at 9 a.m. on November 10, instructing the vehicles to proceed to designated parking areas.

The move marks a new escalation in the standoff between the two countries after Lithuania closed its border with Belarus last month, citing an influx of weather balloons used to smuggle cigarettes.

The Belarusian foreign ministry said that more than 1,100 Lithuanian trucks remain stranded in Belarus. The authorities have directed the vehicles to secure parking lots near the Katłoŭka–Lavoriškės checkpoint, which Vilnius has kept closed since March 2024. Minsk advised drivers to return home and stay there until Lithuania reopens the border.

Belarus described the Lithuanian decision as “a politicized and ill-considered move” that has caused significant losses for transport companies.

Last week, Minsk signaled that it would not permit the stranded Lithuanian trucks to leave Belarus until Vilnius reopens the border.

In late October, Lithuania closed the Medininkai and Šalčininkai border crossings — the only two remaining checkpoints handling all cross-border traffic between the countries — citing the surge of cigarette-smuggling balloons.

“Many drivers have been living in their truck cabins for a week, unable to return to Lithuania or continue their work,” the LINAVA National Association of Road Carriers reported.

Minsk has also banned Lithuanian trucks from entering Poland and Latvia, insisting that they use only Lithuanian checkpoints.

According to LINAVA, transport companies could lose around €70 million this month, and the disruption may last even longer.

Minsk blocks return of Lithuanian trucks, urges Vilnius to reopen border