Markers indicating the border between Lithuania and Belarus at Medininkai, Lithuania, August 24, 2021. INTS KALNINS / REUTERS A smuggling attempt or a destabilization operation? After dozens of weather balloons carrying cigarettes were sent from neighboring Belarus, disrupting Lithuanian air traffic for a week, Vilnius made its decision on Monday, October 27. The last two border crossings still open in the South of the country, at Salcininkai and Medininkai (and which had been closed the previous day) will remain closed until further notice. “This sends a clear signal to Belarus: No hybrid attack will be tolerated here, and we will take the strictest possible measures to put an end to such actions,” said Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė at a press conference.
According to the National Crisis Management Center, radar monitoring Lithuanian airspace detected 66 objects flying from Belarus into Lithuania during the night from Sunday to Monday. Vilnius Airport remained closed for seven hours, affecting 47 flights and more than 7,000 passengers. Operations had already been suspended three times in previous days for the same reasons; in total, 140 flights had to be canceled or delayed.
On October 25, the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Belarusian chargé d’affaires in Vilnius to express the Baltic state’s “strong protest” against repeated incursions into its airspace. “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania emphasized that violations of the state border constitute a serious violation of international law. (…) Lithuania also warned that it considers these incidents a deliberate provocation and an escalation of tensions,” the statement said.
You have 51.38% of this article left to read. The rest is for subscribers only.