Lithuania to Indefinitely Close Border With Belarus After Balloon Sightings

For three days, Vilnius airport was forced to suspend air traffic because of balloons suspected of being used to smuggle contraband cigarettes.

In this undated photo released by the State Border Guard Service, an officer inspects a balloon used to carry cigarettes into Lithuania, because Belarussian smugglers often use them to ferry the contraband into the European Union. State Border Guard Service via AP

On Oct. 27, Lithuania announced it would close its border with Belarus indefinitely after repeated sightings of smuggling balloons led to the suspension of flights at Vilnius Airport.

Lithuania’s Ministry of the Interior said the Salcininkai checkpoint will be closed indefinitely, with no movement of people or vehicles allowed. There will also be restrictions in place at the Medininkai checkpoint; only diplomats, those transporting diplomatic mail, and EU citizens will be permitted to enter.