Lithuania has threatened to close its border with Belarus if smuggler balloons cross into its territory again, Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene announced on Wednesday. The warning follows an incident in which dozens of helium weather balloons carrying contraband cigarettes drifted into Lithuanian airspace near the capital.

Vilnius Airport resumed flights on Wednesday after a temporary shutdown triggered by the balloons entering the city’s airspace overnight. The National Crisis Management Centre (NCMC) reported the reopening of border crossings with Belarus that had been closed in response to the disruption.

"If such major crossings of balloons over our border are repeated, we will react immediately and close our border with Belarus... We will make no concessions to Belarus," Ruginiene said

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