Current:Home > ScamsLithuania closes 2 checkpoints with Belarus over Wagner Group border concerns -Wealth Evolution Experts
Lithuania closes 2 checkpoints with Belarus over Wagner Group border concerns
View
Date:2025-04-25 06:15:49
Lithuania on Wednesday decided to temporarily close two of its six checkpoints with Belarus later this week amid growing tensions with its eastern neighbor, an ally of Russia.
The Lithuanian government has said that the crossings at Tverecius and Sumskas will be closed, and traffic will be diverted to the Medininkai border checkpoint, which is the largest of Lithuania's six checkpoints.
The decision came as Lithuanians grow increasingly worried about the presence of Russia-linked Wagner Group mercenaries in Belarus.
- What is the Wagner Group, and who is Yevgeny Prigozhin? What to know about the Russian private military company
"The main goal is to temporarily suspend operations at these two points from Aug. 18," Deputy Minister of Transport Agnė Vaiciukeviciūte said, adding that the move offered the possibility of directing officers performing border control checks to other points.
Lithuania, a Baltic nation that declared its independence from the Soviet Union 33 years ago, is a democracy that belongs to NATO and the European Union. It has been a strong backer of Ukraine and a place of refuge in recent years for many who have fled an authoritarian crackdown in neighboring Belarus and increased repression in Russia.
Rustamas Liubajevas, commander of the Lithuanian State Border Guard Service, said that there could be up to 4,500 of Wagner fighters in Belarus, with some of them stationed close to the Lithuanian and Polish borders.
In neighboring Latvia, the State Border Guard Service said Tuesday it was mobilizing additional border guards to strengthen the protection of the external state border, the LETA news agency said.
This decision was taken due to the sharp increase in the hybrid threat at the Latvian-Belarusian border over the past days, when 96 attempts by people to cross the state border were detected, as well as the increased involvement of the Belarusian authorities in organizing the flow of illegal immigrants.
Latvian authorities consider attempts by Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko's regime to push migrants across borders to be methods of hybrid warfare targeting these countries.
LETA said that the annual leave of State Border Guard officers had been suspended. The State Border Guard has also requested additional support from the National Armed Forces and the State Police.
Lithuania has also seen migrants coming from Belarus. A total of 11,211 people have been denied entry to Lithuania from Belarus since January 2022, according to the State Border Service. And some 1,543 have not been allowed to enter this year so far.
Countries bordering Belarus have increased border security since thousands of Wagner fighters arrived in Russian-allied Belarus under a deal that ended their armed rebellion in late June and allowed them and their leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, to avoid criminal charges.
In recent days, Poland, which sits south of Lithuania, has been deploying thousands of troops to its border with Belarus, calling it a deterrent move as tensions between the two neighbors ratchet up.
- In:
- Wagner Group
- Belarus
- yevgeny prigozhin
- Lithuania
- Ukraine
- Russia
veryGood! (73498)
Related
- Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
- Jerry Springer’s Cause of Death Revealed
- Save 50% On These Top-Selling Tarte Glossy Lip Balms Before They Sell Out
- This It Cosmetics Balm Works as a Cleanser, Makeup Remover, and Mask: Get 2 for Less Than the Price of 1
- SFO's new sensory room helps neurodivergent travelers fight flying jitters
- Princess Eugenie's Son August and Princess Beatrice's Daughter Sienna Enjoy a Day at the Zoo
- Climate change is causing people to move. They usually stay local, study finds
- Why Isla Fisher and Sacha Baron Cohen Keep Their 3 Kids Out of the Spotlight
- Costco membership growth 'robust,' even amid fee increase: What to know about earnings release
- Today’s Climate: April 22, 2010
Ranking
- Selena Gomez engaged to Benny Blanco after 1 year together: 'Forever begins now'
- Everything You Need to Achieve the Quiet Luxury Trend Without Breaking the Bank
- Get These $118 Lululemon Flared Pants for $58, a $54 Tank Top for $29, $68 Shorts for $39, and More Deals
- Get Smudge-Proof Voluminous Lashes for 36 Hours With This 2 Benefit Mascaras for the Price of 1 Deal
- 'As foretold in the prophecy': Elon Musk and internet react as Tesla stock hits $420 all
- Nordstrom 75% Off Shoe Deals: Tory Burch, Katy Perry, Nike, Dolce Vita, BCBG, and More
- Step Inside Sofia Richie and Elliot Grainge's Tropical Honeymoon
- Climate change makes Typhoon Mawar more dangerous
Recommendation
Who are the most valuable sports franchises? Forbes releases new list of top 50 teams
Nope, We Won't Get Over Keke Palmer's Radiant Met Gala 2023 Look
You'll Want to Circle Back on TikTok Star Corporate Natalie's Advice Before Your Next Performance Review
Prince William's Role in King Charles III's Coronation Revealed
Meet first time Grammy nominee Charley Crockett
A new satellite could help clean up the air in America's most polluted neighborhoods
Kim Kardashian and Engaged Couple Chris Appleton and Lukas Gage Have Fun Night at Usher Concert
You Won't Believe These Stars Have Never Been to the Met Gala