Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –
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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News
VILNIUS, Oct. 25 (Xinhua) — Traffic across the Lithuanian-Belarusian border resumed at midday on Saturday, more than 12 hours after it was temporarily suspended late Friday due to a hot air balloon incident on the Belarusian side.
According to the State Border Guard Service (VSAT), checks and passage of people and vehicles have resumed at the Medininkai and Šalčininkai checkpoints.
Traffic at both checkpoints was suspended at around 21:30 /18:30 GMT/ on October 24 following reports that several weather balloons had approached Lithuanian airspace.
VSAT noted that no serious incidents or conflicts between drivers waiting at the checkpoint were recorded during the closure.
Last night, the head of the National Crisis Management Centre, Vilmantas Vitkauskas, reported that radars had detected approximately 80-90 spherical objects, which is two to three times fewer than were observed during a similar incident earlier this week.
As VSAT head Rustamas Liubajevas noted, four balloons carrying contraband cigarettes have been intercepted so far. Following the first wave of balloon incursions earlier this week, the National Security Commission held a meeting to assess the situation.
Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė warned that if mass launches of contraband balloons from Belarus continue, Lithuania may consider completely closing the border with its eastern neighbor. The next meeting of the National Security Commission is scheduled for October 29.
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.