{"id":176172,"date":"2026-02-18T12:23:21","date_gmt":"2026-02-18T09:23:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/176172\/"},"modified":"2026-03-10T12:05:06","modified_gmt":"2026-03-10T12:05:06","slug":"air-smuggling-from-belarus-keeps-affecting-vilnius-airport-operations","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/176172\/","title":{"rendered":"Air smuggling from Belarus keeps affecting Vilnius Airport operations"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n\n Vilnius International Airport\n <\/div>\n \n
\n (Pozirk) <\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

February 18, Pozirk.<\/em><\/strong> Vilnius International Airport was closed from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. yesterday due to air smuggling balloons, Delfi <\/em>reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alaksandar \u0141uka\u0161enka’s regime is using the incursions as a hybrid attack against Lithuania, according to the Lithuanian National Crisis Management Center.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most recent similar incident that affected Vilnius International Airport operations was reported on January 27.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Smuggling of cigarettes caused significant tensions between Belarus and Lithuania last year. In late 2025, Vilnius declared an \u201cextreme situation,\u201d a low-level emergency, over incursions of weather balloons that carried contraband goods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cigarettes cost an equivalent of around \u20ac1 at stores in Belarus and are significantly cheaper than legally sold cigarettes in Lithuania, where prices start at around \u20ac5. Smuggled NZ cigarettes can be bought at \u20ac2 per pack in Vilnius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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