Belarus has disconnected cross-border transmission lines (PTL) with Lithuania as part of the ongoing tests of the reliability of the Belarusian energy system, the press service of the Belarusian Energy Ministry said on 8 April. The press service noted that the 24-hour test programme provides for the disconnection of high-voltage lines, monitoring the operation of the power system and restarting in compliance with the necessary safety requirements. "These works will be carried out within the framework of the program agreed with the system operators of the BRELL countries," the ministry stressed.

The BRELL energy ring is a synchronous mode of operation of the energy systems of Belarus, Russia, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania based on general principles of operation, exchange of electricity and support for each other by reserves in case of emergency situations. Earlier it was reported that the Baltic states intend to leave BRELL and synchronise instead with the European energy system through Poland - through the already built LitPol Link link and the Harmony Link marine cable. This is planned to take place by 2025.

Originally, Belarus had informed Lithuanian power transmission system operator Litgrid a month before that it intended to disconnect all four power lines on the border of Lithuania and Belarus for a week from 5 to 11 April. Following objections from the three Baltic states, Belarus revised its plans to two 24-hour disconnections on 8 and 11 April.