On November 19, the Lithuanian government announced the reopening of two border checkpoints along its border with Belarus, which had been closed at the end of October due to incidents involving smuggling balloons. According to LRT,
the National Security Commission recommended that the government consider reopening the border closed on October 29.
The commission concluded that the circumstances had changed and that restrictions on crossing the border were 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 Ruuginene emphasized that if the situation with smuggling balloons coming from Belarus deteriorates again, the government reserves the right to reinstate the border closure.
It is worth noting that in October, Vilnius Airport suspended operations four times due to smuggling balloons, affecting approximately 95 flights and nearly 14,000 passengers. On November 8, the airport was closed again due to balloons flying towards it.
Thus, Lithuania closed its border with Belarus and emphasized that it would only reopen once smuggling balloons ceased to enter its airspace.