Lithuania to shoot down illicit aerial devices, government leader states.

The Baltic nation plans to intercept and destroy helium balloons carrying contraband tobacco across the border, its prime minister has warned.

This decision follows after unauthorized aerial incursions necessitated airport closures repeatedly in recent days, with weekend disruptions, while authorities suspended cross-border movement during each incident.

Border checkpoints will now be closed indefinitely due to the ongoing aerial incidents.

Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene said, "we are ready to take the strictest possible measures when our airspace is violated."

Official Measures

Announcing the actions at a press conference, Ruginiene said the army was taking "all necessary measures" to shoot down balloons.

Regarding frontier restrictions, Ruginiene said diplomats will still be able to travel across the international border, and EU citizens and Lithuanians can enter from Belarus, though all other travel remains prohibited.

"In this way, we are sending a signal to foreign authorities declaring that unconventional threats won't be accepted within our territory, and we'll implement maximum countermeasures to stop such attacks," she said.

Official communications saw no quick answer from Minsk officials.

International Consultation

The Baltic nation intends to coordinate with partners regarding the aerial device concerns with possible discussions about implementing the NATO consultation clause - a request for consultation by a Nato member country regarding security matters, especially related to its security - she added.

Airport Disruptions

National air facilities experienced triple closures at the weekend due to weather balloons crossing the international border, impacting over hundred flights and thousands of travelers, based on regional media reports.

Earlier this month, multiple aerial devices crossed into Lithuanian airspace, causing dozens of flight disruptions impacting thousands, according to emergency management officials.

These incidents continue previous patterns: as of 6 October, numerous unauthorized objects tracked entering airspace from Belarus this year, per government spokesperson comments, while 966 were recorded last year.

International Perspective

Other European airports - such as Scandinavian and German locations - faced comparable aviation security challenges, with unauthorized drone observations, in recent weeks.