Lithuania closes Vilnius Airport and the Belarusian border due to balloon sightings once more

NATO member Lithuania shuttered both border crossings with Belarus and its main airport late Saturday after helium weather balloons drifted into the Baltic nation’s territory for the second day in a row.

Lithuanian officials said that traffic at Vilnius Airport would be suspended until 2 a.m. (2300 GMT), and that the Belarus border would also be closed until the same time.

Drone sightings and other air intrusions, especially at airports in Copenhagen, Munich, and the Baltic region, have caused several disruptions to European aviation in recent weeks.

Additionally, authorities have stated that balloons entering the capital’s airspace caused the Vilnius airport to close on Tuesday, Friday, and October 5.

Lithuania has claimed that smugglers shipping illegal cigarettes send balloons, but it also accuses Russian President Vladimir Putin’s close ally Alexander Lukashenko of failing to put an end to the practice.

Lithuania’s National Security Commission will convene next week to evaluate the situation, according to a statement made by Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene on Friday.