Lithuanian trucks still blocked from Belarus as smuggled balloon threats escalate

Lithuanian trucks remain unable to enter Lithuania from Belarus for the fifth consecutive day, despite the reopening of two border crossings earlier this week, according to the State Border Guard Service (VSAT).

Giedrius Mišutis, a VSAT representative, said that as of the morning of November 24, no trucks with Lithuanian license plates had returned from Belarus, while only vehicles allowed to operate under Belarusian transit rules—mostly Russian trucks with simplified documents—were moving across the border, Caliber.Az reports via LRT.

Over the past 24 hours, 45 freight vehicles crossed the Šalčininkai checkpoint and 68 crossed Medininkai.

The prolonged blockage comes after Minsk had banned Lithuanian trucks in response to Lithuania’s temporary three-week closure of its border, citing the threat of smuggled balloons from Belarus. The border was reopened last week amid an improved situation, but Belarus has yet to allow trucks to return.

Linava, the national road hauliers’ association, said Belarus was refusing passage through special areas and requested diplomatic talks between Vilnius and Minsk.

Lithuanian authorities describe these incidents as part of a hybrid attack by Belarus. Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė said the situation demonstrates Minsk’s aggressive tactics, while President Gitanas Nausėda urged calm and promised an investigation into the truck blockages.

Moreover, the balloon threat has intensified, affecting aviation as well. Vilnius Airport suspended operations twice over 24 hours, from 6:55 p.m. to 12:25 a.m. and again from 1:40 a.m. to 3:25 a.m. local time, with 13 flights cancelled and six diverted to Kaunas.

Vilmantas Vitkauskas, head of Lithuania’s National Crisis Management Center, reported that over 40 markings of smuggled balloons were detected and that some had reached Latvian airspace, highlighting a growing regional threat. The authorities recovered six balloons as of the morning on Nocvember 24 and continue to search for more.

Vitkauskas noted that the scale and intensity of the balloon launches could lead to further decisions on a regional response, while warning that the intrusions might force Lithuania to close its border again if they continue.

By Sabina Mammadli