European carriers have been avoiding Belarusian airspace after widespread condemnation of what was dubbed "state hijacking" after Belarusian MiG fighters escorted the Lithuania-bound flight to Minsk where authorities grabbed the anti-Lushenko activist and his girlfriend based on prior charges.

Britain's Sky News is now reporting that Russia is "stopping EU flights from entering Russian airspace - IF those airplanes have circumnavigated Belarusian airspace on the way."

Parson's follows by emphasizing, "Bearing in mind the size of Russian airspace, and the position of Belarus - that's a significant move."

This could mark the beginnings of a "battle" over crucial Eastern Europe and Baltic airspace and flight paths as more countries also ban airspace for Belavia flights (state airline of Belarus) in the wake of the Ryanair controversy and fallout, which has further put President Alexander Lukashenko back in the crosshairs of the West and expanding sanctions.