For security reasons, Lithuania has temporarily closed both border checkpoints with Belarus. This decision followed the nighttime launch of several meteorological balloons from the Belarus side into Lithuanian territory. According to the National Crisis Management Center of Lithuania (NCMC), at around 2 AM, at least 13 meteorological balloons were detected heading towards Vilnius Airport. In total, dozens of these objects were reported, with five already located. Additionally, one individual was detained with 7,000 packets of smuggled cigarettes.
As a precaution, the checkpoints in Medininkai and Šalčininkai were closed. The head of the State Border Guard Service (SBGS), Rustam Lyubaev, made this decision during the night.
“This action is taken to ensure Lithuania's security and is related to the nighttime launch of meteorological balloons. Traffic at the checkpoints is minimal at this hour. No incidents related to the closure of the checkpoints were reported either in their territory or nearby,” said SBGS spokesperson Gedrius Mishutis.
Due to the presence of the balloons, Vilnius Airport also temporarily halted operations, with movement stopping at 10:23 PM. NCMC representative Darius Buti mentioned that this disruption affected 30 flights, but the airport resumed operations in the morning.