Minsk summons Lithuanian diplomat after drone drops small opposition flags on Hrodna

December 1, Pozirk. The Belarusian foreign ministry has summoned Lithuania’s Charge d’Affaires Erikas Vilkanecas to hand a note of protest after an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) landed on a Hrodna street, delivering small opposition white-red-white flags banned by authorities.

The foreign ministry described the incident as “a deliberate provocation,” demanding that Vilnius launch an investigation, bring those responsible to account and prevent such incidents from happening in the future. It said that the drone was launched from Lithuania and crossed on November 30 into Belarus from the Lazdijai municipality.

“Belarus reserves the right to take necessary measures to defend its sovereignty,” the foreign ministry warned.

The Belarusian interior ministry said that the UAV was equipped with a camera and could have been used for reconnaissance. It said the drone was launched from Kapčiamiestis, a Lithuanian village in the border area.

Tensions are rising between the two countries over irregular migration, repeated border closures, Minsk’s refusal to release hundreds of trucks stranded in Belarus and cigarette-smuggling balloons that have disrupted operations at Vilnius International Airport.

Lithuania suspended contacts with Belarusian officials after the 2020 presidential election, which it described as rigged, and has not recognized Alaksandar Łukašenka as president. Vilnius provided shelter for Łukašenka’s exiled rival, Śviatłana Cichanoŭskaja.

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Vilnius does not consider border closure in response to cigarette-smuggling balloons

December 1, Pozirk. Vaidotas Jakštas, Lithuania’s deputy interior minister, has confirmed that Vilnius does not consider border closure in response to continuing incursions by balloons carrying smuggled cigarettes from Belarus. “We must find other means, which could achieve a result, but we …

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