US EditionLithuania extends closure of Belarus border crossings after balloons enter its airspace
- Lithuania's Cabinet said Wednesday it will keep its border crossings with Belarus closed for a month, closing Šalčininkai and restricting Medininkai near Vilnius.
- On Wednesday, balloons used to smuggle cigarettes caused repeated disruption at Vilnius Airport, leading to border closures for a month, with some exemptions, Lithuanian officials say.
- Interior Minister Vladislav Kondratovic said some Lithuanian and EU citizens and Russians with transit documents will still be allowed through Medininkai crossing.
- Lukashenko argued on Tuesday that Lithuania's move is a `mad scam` and part of a `hybrid war`, urging Vilnius to track down smuggling networks, and he said Belarus would apologize if involved.
- Given its location on the alliance's eastern flank, Lithuania, NATO and European Union member, borders Russia's Kaliningrad exclave and Russia-allied Belarus, with officials viewing the balloon disruption as deliberate.
26 Articles
26 Articles
Lithuania decided to close its border on Wednesday, 29 October, with Belarus for one month, until 30 November. A retaliatory measure against its neighbour who sent mass weather balloons with cigarette smuggling. To avoid any incident, Vilnius airport had to close for several nights in a row last week.
The government has decided to extend the closure of the border with Belarus for a month, and if the unfriendly actions from the neighbor do not stop, it will be extended again. Belarus calls this an irresponsible attitude towards people, saying that some drivers waited for five days, hoping to be able to return home on Wednesday. And although the flights of smuggled balloons have not repeated after the border was closed, politicians are still he…
Lithuania Extends Belarus Border Closure Until End of November Over Balloon Airspace Disruptions
Lithuania media reported on Wedesday that the Salcininkai-Benyakoni border crossing will remain closed, while passage via the Medininkai-Kamenny Log checkpoint is “restricted.”
Lukashenko responded to the closing of borders with contemptuous tone: "It is a crazy scam, that of balloons is an absurd excuse even for a small country like Lithuania"
The Lithuanian authorities have taken this decision because of security threats caused by the sending of balloons carrying contraband cigarettes.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources lean Left
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
