Lithuania announced Wednesday that it will extend the closure of its border crossings with Belarus for one month following repeated disruptions caused by balloons used to smuggle cigarettes, though some exemptions will apply.

The Šalčininkai crossing will remain fully closed, while passage through the Medininkai checkpoint near Vilnius will be restricted. Lithuanian and EU citizens, as well as Russians holding transit documents to Kaliningrad, will still be allowed to cross at Medininkai, according to the BNS news agency.

The closures were first implemented last week after balloon sightings forced the suspension of flights at Vilnius Airport on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Lithuanian authorities consider the balloon incidents a deliberate action by Belarus, which is allied with Russia.

Interior Minister Vladislav Kondratovic told BNS that the measures aim to send a “clear message” to Belarus, which has made “no effort to address the problem.” Lithuania is a NATO and EU member and shares borders with both Belarus and Russia’s Kaliningrad region.

Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko criticized the move, calling it a “mad scam” and a part of a “hybrid war” against his country. He suggested Lithuania should tackle smuggling within its own borders.

“If air balloons loaded with cigarettes are flying there, I guess they need to solve the issue on their end,” Lukashenko said, adding that Vilnius should track down those responsible. He also stated that Belarus would issue an apology if its involvement is confirmed.