Approximately 2,000 trucks found themselves stranded in Belarus on Friday after Lithuania decided to close its border due to recent disturbances in its airspace, as reported by a truckers’ association.

Last week, numerous balloons filled with illegal cigarettes crossed into Lithuanian airspace, which resulted in the temporary shutdown of airports in both Vilnius and Kaunas, impacting a wide array of flights and thousands of travelers.

Both Vilnius and the European Union condemned these occurrences, labeling them a “hybrid attack.”

“About 2,000 trucks are currently stuck in Belarus,” stated Oleg Tarasov, vice president of the Linava association for Lithuanian road carriers, in a conversation with AFP on Friday.

“The Belarusians have confiscated all Lithuanian vehicles and are preventing them from exiting [the border region]. We are being held hostage, and our goods are also being held hostage,” he added.

According to Tarasov, an estimated 60 million euros (approximately $69 million) worth of goods is presently trapped in Belarus, warning that these delays could lead to monthly losses of around 18 million euros.

The Linava representative criticized the government for failing to consult or inform freight carriers prior to the border closure, which disrupts cross-border transport.

As per the association’s data, Lithuania’s logistics industry employs about 54,000 drivers operating approximately 56,000 trucks.

In light of last week’s incidents, Lithuania, a member of NATO and the European Union, has closed its last two border crossings with Belarus until November 30.

Earlier in 2023 and 2024, four additional border crossings with Belarus were shut down due to security issues stemming from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Additionally, neighboring Poland temporarily closed its border with Belarus in September when Minsk hosted military exercises led by Russia; some crossings have since reopened.