Belarus, Lithuania, Russia: Lithuania will close two more border crossings with Belarus and restrict rail traffic with Russia from March 1

Lithuania will close two more of its six border crossings with Belarus from March 1, bringing the total number of closed border crossings on the shared border to four. Lithuanian authorities state the closures will take place over national security concerns and to prevent smuggling and the violation of international sanctions on Belarus. The order impacts the Lithuanian sides of the Lavoriskes-Kotlovka and Privalka-Raigardas border crossings. Lithuanian authorities will not permit cyclists or pedestrians to transit through the remaining border crossings with Belarus. Additionally, rail passengers will not be permitted to board or disembark cross-border trains at the Kena railway border checkpoint with Belarus or the Kybartai railway border checkpoint with Russia's Kaliningrad exclave. Authorities imposed this restriction to prevent transit passengers from attempting to enter the EU from Belarus or Russia. Authorities have not indicated how long the border restrictions will remain in place.

All cross-border traffic will now transit the only two operational border crossings, Medininkai-Kamenny Log and Salcininkai-Benyakoni. Transport disruptions, including extended crossing times, are likely at the remaining crossings for the duration of the closure.