The Belarusian State Customs Committee reported via its Telegram channel that Lithuania appeared to have strategically caused traffic congestion at the Belarus-Lithuanian border. The claim centers on deliberate slowdowns that resulted in long queues and disrupted flow for international freight as cargo crossed into and out of Belarus.
Presently, Lithuania operates two active road checkpoints out of six on the border with Belarus. The named points are Shalchininkai (also known as Benyakoni) and Medininkai (Kamenny Log). This reduction in open crossing points has been noted as part of a broader shift in border management that authorities say reflects intensified enforcement and tighter control over cross-border traffic.
According to the Belarusian agency, the majority of carriers were directed toward the Kamenny Log checkpoint. Officials indicated that while cargo from the Republic of Belarus was accepted according to standard procedures, the processing did not prevent a roughly 10-kilometer traffic snarl at the site. The description suggests that the bottleneck affected both inbound and outbound traffic, creating a slowdown that stretched far beyond the immediate checkpoint lines.
Customs officials asserted that the impression was formed that the Lithuanian side was intentionally generating delays. The claim underscores perceived coordination between border operations and traffic patterns, a topic that has implications for regional logistics, supply chains, and the reliability of cross-border movement in eastern Europe.
The press service highlighted that normally, 500 vehicles should be registered in each direction to maintain steady operational flow. This standard, when met, can ease the load on busy periods and prevent backlogs. Observers note that the ability to maintain such volumes relies on the availability of staff, resources, and the capacity of processing facilities at each checkpoint.
Additionally, the Belarusian side recalled that after the closure of several border points, personnel were reassigned to the remaining checkpoints. This redeployment could be intended to bolster coverage at the open crossings, but it may also limit the flexibility to manage unusual traffic surges at individual sites. The broader context includes ongoing discussions and occasional disputes over border management strategies between the two neighboring states.
Towards the end of February, reports indicated that Lithuania planned to close two more checkpoints on the Belarus border starting March 1 as part of a broader move to heighten enforcement controls. Such actions would further reduce the number of access points and concentrate traffic through a smaller number of crossings, potentially intensifying queues unless offset by corresponding increases in staffing and infrastructure capacity.
Earlier statements from Lithuanian authorities warned of the seizure of vehicles bearing Russian license plates, a policy that aligns with wider geopolitical considerations and sanctions enforcement. These announcements reflect ongoing tensions and the evolving landscape of border security in the region, where policy decisions at the national level can have immediate effects on cross-border commerce and logistics operations.