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The Baltic nation plans to intercept and destroy balloons used to smuggle contraband tobacco across the border, government officials confirmed.

This action responds after balloons entering Lithuanian airspace disrupted air traffic multiple times over the past week, including at the weekend, while authorities suspended Belarus border crossings temporarily each time.

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

Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene said, "we are ready to take even the most severe actions against airspace violations."

Official Measures

Detailing the measures during a briefing, officials stated defense units were executing "complete operational protocols" to shoot down balloons.

Concerning border measures, officials noted embassy personnel maintain access between the two countries, and EU citizens and Lithuanians can enter from Belarus, though all other travel remains prohibited.

"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," she said.

Authorities received no prompt reaction from the neighboring government.

Diplomatic Measures

Lithuania plans to consult its allies about the security challenges presented with possible discussions about implementing the NATO consultation clause - a provision enabling alliance discussion about national security issues, specifically concerning defense matters - the Prime Minister concluded.

Flight Cancellations

Aviation hubs faced multiple shutdowns during holiday periods from balloon incidents originating from neighboring territory, impacting over hundred flights and thousands of travelers, according to Baltic News Service.

During the current month, 25 balloons entered Lithuania from Belarus, resulting in numerous canceled flights and passenger inconveniences, Lithuania's National Crisis Management Centre told the BBC.

This situation represents ongoing challenges: by autumn measurements, numerous unauthorized objects tracked entering airspace from neighboring territory during current year, an NCMC spokesman said, while 966 were recorded last year.

European Context

Other European airports - covering northern and central European sites - faced comparable aviation security challenges, with unauthorized drone observations, in recent weeks.