Lithuania has announced the closure of two of its six border crossings with Belarus, citing shifts in the geopolitical landscape, national security threats, and concerns about smuggling. These rural crossing points, not used by commercial vehicles, are set to be closed starting from Friday. The decision comes as a response to increased security measures by neighboring countries due to Minsk providing refuge to members of Russia’s Wagner mercenary group.
In June, Belarus sheltered fighters from the Wagner group as part of an agreement to end a brief mutiny in Russia led by Wagner members. In light of these developments, Lithuania has decided to temporarily close the Tverecius and Sumskas crossings, redirecting traffic to the larger Medininkai checkpoint.
Poland has also taken steps to restrict access from Belarus, while Latvia has ordered additional reinforcements to its border. Latvian Prime Minister Krisjanis Karin emphasized the need for Belarus to understand that border security is a serious concern for the well-being of its own citizens and the broader European community.
Amid concerns about the situation, Poland dispatched 10,000 additional troops to its border with Belarus following alleged incursions by Belarusian military helicopters. The move was aimed at guarding against the possible infiltration of Russian Wagner group mercenaries, who are known to have relocated to Belarus. The fear is that these fighters could potentially masquerade as migrants to gain entry into the EU.
The situation has raised alarms among Belarus’s neighboring countries, particularly since the Wagner mutiny challenged Russian President Vladimir Putin’s authority. The rebellion was short-lived and was ultimately resolved through a deal, giving Wagner fighters the option to join the regular Russian army or move to Belarus.
