Overview
- Vilnius closed the last open crossings at Šalčininkai and Medininkai with limited exceptions for diplomats and EU citizens exiting Belarus.
- Repeated high‑altitude balloons forced temporary closures at Vilnius and Kaunas airports, disrupting more than 140 flights and affecting over 20,000 passengers.
- Recovered balloons carried shrink‑wrapped consignments of cigarettes, and authorities reported arrests linked to the airborne smuggling scheme.
- The government is consulting allies and has not ruled out requesting NATO Article 4 consultations in response to the incidents.
- Belarus rejected the accusations, called the move a provocation, and summoned Lithuania’s chargé d’affaires in Minsk.