Lithuania closes 2 checkpoints with Belarus over Wagner Group border concerns

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.