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The Baltic nation plans to eliminate aerial devices transporting contraband tobacco across the border, its prime minister has warned.

This action responds after unauthorized aerial incursions disrupted air traffic repeatedly in recent days, with weekend disruptions, while authorities suspended frontier checkpoints during these events.

International border access continues restricted following repeated balloon incursions.

According to official declarations, "our nation stands prepared to implement even the most severe actions during unauthorized aerial intrusions."

Government Response

Outlining the strategy to media, the Prime Minister confirmed military forces were implementing "complete operational protocols" to shoot down balloons.

Concerning border measures, Ruginiene said diplomats will still be able to travel across the international border, 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 the neighboring nation stating that asymmetric operations face opposition across our nation, employing comprehensive defensive actions to stop such attacks," the Prime Minister emphasized.

Authorities received no prompt reaction from Belarus.

Alliance Coordination

The Baltic nation intends to coordinate with partners regarding the aerial device concerns with possible discussions about implementing the alliance's consultation mechanism - a protocol allowing member state consultation about national security issues, specifically concerning defense matters - the Prime Minister concluded.

Flight Cancellations

National air facilities experienced triple closures at the weekend due to weather balloons originating from neighboring territory, affecting 112 flights and more than 16,500 passengers, based on regional media reports.

In recent weeks, 25 balloons entered Lithuania from Belarus, resulting in numerous canceled flights and passenger inconveniences, according to emergency management officials.

The phenomenon is not new: by autumn measurements, numerous unauthorized objects tracked entering airspace across the frontier in recent months, according to official statements, compared to higher numbers in prior period.

Regional Situation

Additional aviation facilities - such as Scandinavian and German locations - have also been affected by air incursions, involving unmanned aerial vehicles, over past months.