The Lithuanian Cabinet of Ministers declared a state of emergency across the entire country, and citizens of the Republic of Moldova who plan to travel or transit through Lithuania must expect additional checks.
The Embassy of the Republic of Moldova in Lithuania explained that authorities set the state of emergency due to the continuous launch of smuggled meteorological balloons from neighboring Belarus, which may threaten the safety and security of civil aviation flights, especially at Vilnius airport.
Since October, the airport has closed for more than 60 hours, disrupting the schedules of over 350 flights and affecting more than 51,000 passengers.
The Embassy warned Moldovan citizens traveling to Lithuania or transiting its territory to prepare for additional controls by both police and military personnel, who can stop and check documents and vehicles.