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Authorities have decided to shoot down aerial devices transporting cigarettes from neighbouring Belarus, the country's leader announced.

This action responds after foreign objects crossing the border disrupted air traffic repeatedly in recent days, including at the weekend, accompanied by temporary closures of frontier checkpoints during these events.

Border checkpoints will now be closed indefinitely in response to the helium weather balloons.

Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene said, "we are ready to take the strictest possible measures during unauthorized aerial intrusions."

Official Measures

Detailing the measures during a briefing, officials stated defense units were executing "complete operational protocols" to eliminate aerial threats.

Regarding frontier restrictions, officials noted embassy personnel maintain access between the two countries, with special provisions for EU and Lithuanian nationals, however general movement continues suspended.

"In this way, we are sending a signal to foreign authorities and saying that no hybrid attack will be tolerated here, and we will take all the strictest measures to prevent similar incidents," the Prime Minister emphasized.

Authorities received no prompt reaction from Belarus.

Alliance Coordination

Authorities will discuss with international allies over the threat posed from the balloons while potentially considering invocation of the NATO consultation clause - a provision enabling alliance discussion about national security issues, particularly involving territorial protection - the Prime Minister concluded.

Flight Cancellations

Lithuanian airports were closed three times during holiday periods from balloon incidents originating from neighboring territory, disrupting air transport and passenger movement, per transportation authority data.

During the current month, several unauthorized objects traversed the border, resulting in numerous canceled flights and passenger inconveniences, Lithuania's National Crisis Management Centre told the BBC.

The phenomenon is not new: by autumn measurements, numerous unauthorized objects tracked entering airspace from Belarus this year, according to official statements, while 966 were recorded last year.

International Perspective

Additional aviation facilities - such as Scandinavian and German locations - faced comparable aviation security challenges, with unauthorized drone observations, over past months.