VILNIUS, Lithuania (AP) — Lithuania's prime minister said Monday that her country has drawn up plans to shut its border crossings with Belarus indefinitely, after flights at the capital's airport were disrupted repeatedly by suspected sightings of balloons used to smuggle cigarettes across the frontier.
Lithuania's National Security Commission met after balloon sightings prompted the suspension of air traffic at Vilnius Airport on three successive evenings — Friday, Saturday and Sunday — causing cancellations, diversions and delays.
On Friday, the airport at Kaunas, which is farther from the Belarusian border, also was affected. The incidents followed similar disruption early Wednesday and on other recent occasions.
Lithuania’s two border crossings with Belarus, at Medininkai and Šalčininkai, were both closed for several hours as a result of each of the balloon incidents. The country's border guard service decided overnight Sunday to close the border for 24 hours, the BNS news agency reported.
Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė said the restrictions will be extended until Wednesday, when her Cabinet is expected to decide whether to prolong the closure indefinitely, BNS reported.
Ruginienė said Monday that the government has already drawn up a draft decision to shut the border indefinitely, with exemptions for diplomats and diplomatic mail. Lithuanian and other European Union citizens also would still be allowed to enter from Belarus.
Lithuania, an EU and NATO member, is located on the Western alliance’s eastern flank. It borders Russia’s Kaliningrad exclave as well as Russia-allied Belarus.
Belarusian Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov denounced the move to shut the border as a “provocation” and suggested that Lithuanian authorities should focus their attention on “organized gangs of Lithuanians who use smuggling for profit.”
“These balloons with smuggled cigarettes have been flying there for ages,” Ryzhenkov said in a statement. “But, most interestingly, we haven’t received any diplomatic notes.”
Ryzhenkov said he discussed the issue with President Alexander Lukashenko, who described the border closure as “sheer stupidity.”
Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who lives in exile in Lithuania, said in written comments to The Associated Press that the balloon incidents were “yet another sign that the regime is using cigarette smuggling as a tool of hybrid aggression against Europe.”
“The closure of border crossings is a logical step to protect security," she said. “We support Lithuania and its partners in strengthening sanctions against producers, transporters, and organizers of cigarette smuggling.”
FILE - Lithuania's Social Democratic party member Inga Ruginiene, nominated as the next prime minister, speaks during a Lithuania's parliament session in Vilnius, Lithuania, Aug. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Mindaugas Kulbis, File)
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes hurt his left knee while trying to keep his team's postseason hopes alive in the waning seconds of a 16-13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, and Kansas City coach Andy Reid acknowledged afterward “it did not look good.”
The Chiefs had just crossed midfield with less than two minutes to go when Mahomes scrambled toward the Kansas City sideline, then tried to get rid of the ball. He was spun to the ground upon release by Chargers defensive lineman Da'Shawn Hand, and the two-time MVP immediately grabbed at his left knee while trainers converged on him.
Mahomes was eventually helped to the blue injury tent on the sideline, but he only stayed there for a few moments. He soon emerged with staff members on either side of him, limping toward the locker room with a white towel draped over his head.
“He will get an MRI tomorrow or this evening,” Reid said, “whenever we can.”
Gardner Minshew entered the game and completed three straight passes to give the Chiefs a chance. But he was picked off by Derwin James on a jump ball intended for Travis Kelce with 14 seconds remaining, sealing the Chargers' season sweep of Kansas City.
“I hate the situation. I hate that I couldn’t deliver the win and keep our hopes alive,” Minshew said.
The loss, along with wins by Jacksonville, Buffalo and Houston, eliminated the defending AFC champs from playoff contention.
“It’s very frustrating, man. It’s been hard to watch for Pat, a dude that puts so much into it,” Minshew said. “I’ve never seen someone give so much of themselves to the team. I have confidence in him and his ability to come back better than ever.”
The injury to Mahomes, who threw for just 189 yards with an interception, was merely the latest — and perhaps most severe — in a series of setbacks that had turned what had been one of the NFL's best offenses for the better part of a decade into a shadow of itself.
Kansas City started the game with left tackle Josh Simmons on injured reserve with a fractured wrist, backup Wanya Morris out with a knee injury, right tackle Trey Smith inactive with an ankle injury and right tackle Jawaan Taylor dealing with a triceps injury.
Backup right tackle Jaylon Moore hurt his knee during the game, too, leaving journeyman Esa Pole and Chukwuebuka Godrick — an international pathway player who had never appeared in an NFL game — to protect Mahomes down the stretch.
The Chiefs also were missing Marquise Brown, who was inactive while dealing with a family matter, and fellow wide receiver Tyquan Thornton, who was crushed by Chargers cornerback Tony Jefferson after a 20-yard catch and was evaluated for a concussion.
Another receiver, Xavier Worthy, missed part of the game while clearing the concussion protocol.
It hasn't just been the Chiefs' offense where the injuries have mounted.
They began the game without Trent McDuffie, who was inactive with a knee injury. Then in a span of three straight plays, they lost linebacker Nick Bolton, defensive tackle Chris Jones and cornerback Jaylen Watson, though each of them eventually returned.
“We have a lot of guys who are very resilient in our locker room,” Jones said. “We all knew what was at stake. We all wanted to be part of this game. We were looking forward to it. Unfortunately, we didn't get the outcome we hoped for, but everyone battled.”
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Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) gets rid of the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, right, throws the ball away under pressure from Los Angeles Chargers outside linebacker Khalil Mack (52) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) is pushed out of bounds by Los Angeles Chargers outside linebacker Khalil Mack, left, during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) is checked on after being injured during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy (1) is checked on after being injured during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
