Lithuania Closes Airports and Borders Following Unidentified Airspace Intrusions

In response to sightings of unidentified objects entering its airspace, Lithuania, a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), temporarily suspended operations at two of its main airports and closed its remaining open land border crossings with Belarus. The measures were initiated after authorities detected several airborne objects--suspected to be weather balloons--originating from the neighboring country Belarus.

The Lithuanian Ministry of Transport stated that both Vilnius and Kaunas airports halted passenger and cargo flights for safety reasons. The suspension was initially set until 22:00 local time but was later extended by four hours as authorities continued to monitor the situation. The closures affected a limited number of scheduled flights, with airlines and passengers notified about the disruptions.

According to the National Crisis Management Center, radar systems identified dozens of navigation points representing these aerial objects. The exact number and type of objects remain undetermined as of the latest reports. Preliminary investigations suggest that weather balloons are commonly used by smugglers to transport contraband, particularly cigarettes, across the border from Belarus into Lithuania, evading customs and border controls.

In conjunction with the airspace restrictions, Lithuanian border authorities temporarily closed the Medininkai and Salcininkai border crossings, which were the last two open entry points between Lithuania and Belarus. The closures form part of a broader security response, with officials evaluating additional measures to address ongoing cross-border risks. The government indicated that further meetings would take place to assess the effectiveness of current actions and explore more robust solutions to deter illegal activities facilitated by such incursions.

The recent incident marks the third time in October that Lithuania's air traffic has been disrupted due to similar events. The Vilnius airport had previously been affected by balloon sightings earlier in the month. Additionally, Lithuanian authorities recently reported airspace violations by Russian aircraft, underscoring the heightened tensions and security concerns in the region. These events occur against a backdrop of increasing reports across Europe of airports temporarily ceasing operations due to drone sightings or other unidentified flying objects near their facilities, with major airports such as Munich experiencing similar disruptions in recent weeks.

Lithuania's actions reflect broader security coordination efforts within the European Union and NATO, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding national and regional airspace integrity. The government continues to monitor the situation closely and is coordinating with international partners to address both the immediate and long-term security implications of these airspace intrusions.

No injuries or damage have been reported as a result of the latest incidents. Authorities have reiterated their commitment to maintaining public safety and ensuring the uninterrupted operation of vital transport infrastructure while addressing cross-border challenges posed by unauthorized aerial activities.