Since November 2025, Belarus detained Lithuanian trucks and semi-trailers in retaliation after Lithuania temporarily closed two border checkpoints, Medininkai and Šalčininkai, due to contraband balloons smuggling cigarettes and disrupting Vilnius Airport operations. On 24 March 2026, Belarus allowed the detained vehicles to leave, and by 6 a.m. that day, 153 trucks returned to Lithuania, with 98 crossing at Medininkai and 55 at Šalčininkai. Most of these trucks have Lithuanian plates but are driven by Belarusian citizens with Lithuanian residence permits. Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko permitted the release after meeting Lithuanian and Polish road carriers representatives on 17 March 2026. The National Road Carriers’ Association Linava appealed to the European Commission, reporting up to EUR 22 million in damages due to the detainment. The European Commission confirmed the detention was unjustified.

Since November 2025, Belarus detained Lithuanian trucks and semi-trailers in retaliation after Lithuania temporarily closed two border checkpoints, Medininkai and Šalčininkai, due to contraband balloons smuggling cigarettes and disrupting Vilnius Airport operations. On 24 March 2026, Belarus allowed the detained vehicles to leave, and by 6 a.m. that day, 153 trucks returned to Lithuania, with 98 crossing at Medininkai and 55 at Šalčininkai. Most of these trucks have Lithuanian plates but are driven by Belarusian citizens with Lithuanian residence permits. Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko permitted the release after meeting Lithuanian and Polish road carriers representatives on 17 March 2026. The National Road Carriers’ Association Linava appealed to the European Commission, reporting up to EUR 22 million in damages due to the detainment. The European Commission confirmed the detention was unjustified.