Lithuania will destroy contraband-carrying balloons, PM warns.

Authorities have decided to intercept and destroy aerial devices transporting cigarettes from neighbouring Belarus, its prime minister has warned.

The measure comes after unauthorized aerial incursions disrupted air traffic on several occasions recently, with weekend disruptions, with the government also closing Belarus border crossings temporarily each time.

Border checkpoints will now be closed indefinitely following repeated balloon incursions.

The government leader stated, "our nation stands prepared to implement the strictest possible measures when our airspace is violated."

Official Measures

Detailing the measures during a briefing, officials stated defense units were executing "every required action" to shoot down balloons.

Regarding frontier restrictions, officials noted embassy personnel maintain access between the two countries, and EU citizens and Lithuanians can enter from Belarus, but no other movement will be allowed.

"In this way, we are sending a signal to Belarus stating that asymmetric operations face opposition within our territory, and we'll implement maximum countermeasures to prevent similar incidents," the Prime Minister emphasized.

There has been no immediate response from Minsk officials.

International Consultation

Authorities will discuss with international allies regarding the aerial device concerns with possible discussions about implementing Nato's Article 4 - a protocol allowing member state consultation regarding security matters, especially related to its security - she added.

Travel Impacts

Aviation hubs faced multiple shutdowns at the weekend due to weather balloons from Belarus, affecting 112 flights and more than 16,500 passengers, per transportation authority data.

Earlier this month, 25 balloons entered Lithuania from Belarus, resulting in numerous canceled flights and passenger inconveniences, per national security agency reports.

The phenomenon is not new: through early October, numerous unauthorized objects tracked entering airspace across the frontier in recent months, per government spokesperson comments, while 966 were recorded last year.

International Perspective

International air travel hubs - such as Scandinavian and German locations - faced comparable aviation security challenges, including drone sightings, over past months.