Lithuania has begun to allow certain categories of citizens to enter the border with Belarus.

Lithuania has started to allow limited access through the Myadininkai checkpoint located on the border with Belarus. This was announced on October 27 by the press service of the Belarusian State Customs Committee (SCC).

"The Belarusian customs confirms that these categories of citizens have started crossing the border through the Kamenny Log checkpoint since 14:30 [Moscow time]," the SCC Telegram channel says.

According to the new rules, the pass is allowed to diplomats, transit travelers to the Kaliningrad region, citizens of Lithuania and the EU, their family members and holders of a residence permit in Lithuania. During the first hours of operation, 30 passenger cars, two buses and one truck traveled to Lithuania, while 19 passenger cars, three buses and 20 trucks traveled in the opposite direction.

According to the press service, the checkpoint "Shalchininkai" ("Benyakoni") remains completely closed without specifying a time frame for the resumption of work.

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Earlier, on October 27, Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginene said that Lithuania had decided to close its border with Belarus indefinitely in response to incidents involving balloons allegedly arriving from Belarusian territory. Thus, cargo transport will not be able to cross the border. At the same time, exceptions will be introduced for diplomatic mail and diplomats, as well as citizens of Lithuania and EU countries. Belarus also handed over a protest note to the Charge d'affaires of Lithuania, Erikas Vilkanetsas, in connection with another unilateral closure of the border from the Lithuanian side without prior notice.

Belarusian Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov called Lithuania's decision to close the border a provocation to justify anti-Belarusian approaches and the expansion of sanctions. He added that the Lithuanian government is trying to scare its own citizens and create panic because of the alleged threat from Belarus. The Russian Embassy in Vilnius advised citizens to refrain from traveling to Lithuania by car through Belarus.

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