The Lithuanian government to shoot down smuggling balloons, PM warns.

Lithuania will begin to eliminate helium balloons carrying contraband tobacco across the border, government officials confirmed.

This action responds after unauthorized aerial incursions necessitated airport closures on several occasions recently, with weekend disruptions, with the government also closing frontier checkpoints during these events.

International border access continues restricted due to the ongoing aerial incidents.

According to official declarations, "our nation stands prepared to implement the strictest possible measures during unauthorized aerial intrusions."

Official Measures

Announcing the actions at a press conference, Ruginiene said the army was taking "complete operational protocols" to intercept unauthorized devices.

About the border closure, officials noted embassy personnel maintain access for cross-border diplomatic missions, with special provisions for EU and Lithuanian nationals, however general movement continues suspended.

"This represents our clear message to foreign authorities and saying that no hybrid attack will be tolerated across our nation, employing comprehensive defensive actions to halt these operations," government officials declared.

Official communications saw no quick answer from the neighboring government.

Alliance Coordination

The Baltic nation intends to coordinate with partners over the threat posed from the balloons while potentially considering invocation of the alliance's consultation mechanism - a provision enabling alliance discussion regarding security matters, especially related to its security - officials noted.

Airport Disruptions

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, 25 balloons entered Lithuania from Belarus, causing dozens of flight disruptions impacting thousands, Lithuania's National Crisis Management Centre told the BBC.

The phenomenon is not new: through early October, hundreds of aerial devices documented crossing borders from neighboring territory during current year, according to official statements, while 966 were recorded last year.

Regional Situation

Additional aviation facilities - covering northern and central European sites - faced comparable aviation security challenges, involving unmanned aerial vehicles, during current period.