Lithuania’s interior ministry has outlined plans to close two more border checkpoints along the border with Belarus, citing concerns over smuggling and the ongoing need to optimize civil service operations at the line. The targeted stations are Lavorishkes and Raigardas, and the decision would leave Lithuania with two still-operational crossings at Shalchininkai and Medininkai. These remaining routes are considered vital for cross-border movement of people, goods, and services, ensuring continuity for local communities and regional commerce even as the government recalibrates resource allocation and border oversight.
Government officials emphasize that the plan is part of a broader, collaborative framework among Baltic states and Poland. The benchmarks for a full border closure with Belarus have been set through high-level discussions and joint risk assessments. The framework would be activated in response to either a direct armed incident at the frontier or a sustained, coordinated surge of irregular migrants organized over time. The aim is to strike a balance between robust national security measures and the practical needs of nearby towns, border workers, logistics operators, and neighboring partners who rely on predictable access for daily life and regional trade.
Earlier in the year, the authorities closed two additional border points, Shumskas and Tvyaryachyus, as part of a wider set of border management adjustments. These closures form part of an ongoing plan to streamline controls, reduce redundancies, and optimize the deployment of patrols, technology, and infrastructure while preserving crossings essential for legitimate traffic and regional cooperation. The measure reflects a careful calibration: security requirements are weighed against the economic and social needs of border communities and the broader European supply chain.
Public statements from Kyiv and Vilnius have also highlighted the intention to bolster border security along the Belarus line by deploying seasoned border personnel. The involvement of experienced officers underscores the seriousness with which transit routes and sovereignty along this flank are being safeguarded. According to officials, this staffing strategy is meant to deter illicit activity, enhance situational awareness at checkpoints, and ensure the steady flow of lawful travelers and commercial shipments across the frontier, even in the face of evolving regional challenges.