On November 19, the Lithuanian government announced the reopening of two border points along its border with Belarus, which had been closed at the end of October due to smuggling balloons. According to LRT,
the National Security Commission had previously recommended the government consider reopening the border closed on October 29.
The commission concluded that the "circumstances have changed" and the restrictions on crossing the border are "no longer necessary for ensuring internal security".
In light of this, the Lithuanian government decided on November 19 to lift the previously imposed restrictions.
However, Prime Minister Inga Ruginene warned that if the situation with smuggling balloons from Belarus worsens again, the government reserves the right to re-impose border closures.
It is worth noting that in October, Vilnius Airport had to suspend operations four times due to smuggling balloons, affecting approximately 95 flights and nearly 14,000 passengers. On November 8, the airport closed again due to balloons flying towards it.
This prompted Lithuania to close its border with Belarus, emphasizing that it would only reopen once the smuggling balloons ceased to enter the country's airspace.