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The Baltic nation plans to eliminate balloons used to smuggle cigarettes from neighbouring Belarus, government officials confirmed.

The measure comes after unauthorized aerial incursions disrupted air traffic on several occasions recently, affecting holiday travel, accompanied by temporary closures of Belarus border crossings temporarily each time.

International border access continues restricted in response to the helium weather balloons.

Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene said, "authorities will not hesitate to employ maximum response protocols during unauthorized aerial intrusions."

Official Measures

Detailing the measures during a briefing, Ruginiene said the army was taking "complete operational protocols" to shoot down balloons.

Concerning border measures, officials noted embassy personnel maintain access across the international border, while European Union nationals and Lithuanian residents retain entry rights, however general movement continues suspended.

"In this way, we are sending a signal to the neighboring nation declaring that unconventional threats won't be accepted across our nation, employing comprehensive defensive actions to halt these operations," government officials declared.

There has been no immediate response from the neighboring government.

Alliance Coordination

Lithuania plans to consult its allies about the security challenges presented with possible discussions about implementing the alliance's consultation mechanism - a provision enabling alliance discussion regarding security matters, specifically concerning defense matters - officials noted.

Flight Cancellations

Aviation hubs faced multiple shutdowns over the weekend because of aerial devices from Belarus, impacting over hundred flights and thousands of travelers, based on regional media reports.

In recent weeks, several unauthorized objects traversed the border, causing dozens of flight disruptions impacting thousands, per national security agency reports.

This situation represents ongoing challenges: as of 6 October, 544 balloons were recorded entering Lithuania from neighboring territory during current year, per government spokesperson comments, while 966 were recorded last year.

European Context

Additional aviation facilities - covering northern and central European sites - experienced similar aerial disruptions, with unauthorized drone observations, in recent weeks.