Lithuania closes Belarus border crossings
The Baltic nation has closed two of its six border checkpoints with Belarus on 18 August due to concerns about military security risks
“Both Sumsko and Tvereciaus border checkpoints were shut at midnight,” said Lina Laurinaityte-Grigiene, a spokesperson for the Lithuanian border guard service in an interview with Agence France-Presse (AFP).
Border officers have reportedly laid road spikes at the closed checkpoints, and will erect fences with barbed wire in the area.
The move is in response to escalating tensions between NATO – of which Lithuania is a member – and Belarus – an ally of Russia. However, officials also stated that the move was expected to help control smuggling – as the remaining four border checkpoints are equipped with X-ray machines capable of detecting illegally transported goods.
Lithuania-Belarus relations have declined in recent years – further deteriorating following the 2020 Belarusian presidential elections, and last year’s invasion of Ukraine by Russia.
Megan Gaen explored how air ambulances were impacted by recent geopolitical disruptions such as the pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in the March 2023 Air Ambulance Review.