Lithuania Closes Border with Belarus: Behind the Unprecedented Decision and Hybrid Attack
Starting October 30, 2025, the Lithuanian government has officially implemented a border closure with Belarus for one month, with the possibility of extension. This decision is a response to an unprecedented escalation on the country’s eastern border. The Lithuanian authorities directly identify the reason as a hybrid attack from the Lukashenko regime mass launches of balloons carrying contraband and informational pressure.
The decision to close the border applies to two main crossing points Šalčininkai and Medininkai. As explained by Minister of the Interior Vladyslav Kondratovicius, “the Šalčininkai crossing point will be completely closed, while Medininkai will operate with certain exceptions.”
Exceptions include:
- diplomats and transit passengers to Kaliningrad;
- citizens returning to Lithuania, as well as citizens of the European Union, NATO countries, and their family members;
- persons with residence permits in Lithuania;
- citizens of Ukraine, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, the Holy See;
- technical personnel of diplomatic missions of these countries in Belarus (if they are citizens of Belarus);
- in special cases humanitarian permits.
The Minister emphasized: “Diplomats, transit passengers to Kaliningrad, citizens returning to Lithuania, citizens of the European Union, NATO countries and their family members. Persons with residence permits in Lithuania. The possibility of issuing humanitarian permits remains open, which will be decided by the State Border Guard Service.”
In recent weeks, Lithuania has become the target of mass launches of weather balloons from Belarus, which carry contraband, pose a risk to aviation, and are used as a means of psychological and hybrid pressure. The Lithuanian authorities assess this as a deliberate provocation from the Lukashenko regime.
Prime Minister Ingrida Ruginene emphasized during a government meeting: “The flights of balloons from the territory of Belarus are considered a hybrid attack… We deeply regret this, but we assess security with the utmost responsibility. We believe that today the priority is the safety of all citizens.”
The Minister of the Interior added: “These changes should send a real signal to our, as we see today, not very friendly neighbor, who is making no effort to solve the problem. Their inaction means that they are in fact participating in this activity.”
Official Lithuanian agencies have reported that in the past week, the number of balloon launches with contraband from Belarus has increased several times over. According to the National Crisis Management Center of Lithuania, “66 radar images were recorded… In these images, the wind was directed exactly towards the airport.” It is separately emphasized that such actions pose a risk to the safety of civil aviation. The Lithuanian army is already involved in destroying these objects and has a clear response algorithm using kinetic means.
The Lithuanian authorities view these events not as an isolated episode, but as part of a broader strategy of hybrid pressure on the Baltic countries and the EU. The Prime Minister of Lithuania stated that consultations are ongoing with Poland, Latvia, as well as with EU and NATO partners. The possibility of activating consultations under Article 4 of the NATO Treaty is being considered in the event of an escalation of the threat. The Lithuanian government is preparing an additional package of sanctions against Belarus and amending criminal law, increasing responsibility for smuggling from fines to imprisonment.
An important detail among the categories that can cross the border even during the restrictions, citizens of Ukraine, as well as Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, the Holy See, and their family members are specifically highlighted. The possibility of transit for citizens of Kaliningrad and diplomatic missions also remains.
The closure of the border with Belarus is a precedent-setting step for Lithuania and the entire region. The scale, duration, and technical nature of the threats indicate that the country is preparing for a prolonged confrontation with external pressure.
The hybrid attack with balloons demonstrates how modern warfare can change the daily lives of thousands of people and influence the strategic decisions of the national government.
Lithuania sends a clear signal: the safety of citizens is an unconditional priority, even if it means serious temporary restrictions for the economy and cross-border communication.
The situation at the border is not only a technical security issue but also a political message to Belarus and to the entire European Union.
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