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Lithuania will begin to intercept and destroy balloons used to smuggle cigarettes from neighbouring Belarus, its prime minister has warned.

This decision follows after unauthorized aerial incursions disrupted air traffic repeatedly in recent days, affecting holiday travel, accompanied by temporary closures of Belarus border crossings temporarily each time.

Border checkpoints will now be closed indefinitely due to the ongoing aerial incidents.

The government leader stated, "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 "all necessary measures" to eliminate aerial threats.

Regarding frontier restrictions, officials noted embassy personnel maintain access across the international border, while European Union nationals and Lithuanian residents retain entry rights, however general movement continues suspended.

"This represents our clear message to foreign authorities and saying that no hybrid attack will be tolerated within our territory, and we'll implement maximum countermeasures to prevent similar incidents," the Prime Minister emphasized.

There has been no immediate response from Belarus.

International Consultation

The Baltic nation intends to coordinate with partners regarding the aerial device concerns and may discuss activating the NATO consultation clause - a protocol allowing member state consultation about national security issues, particularly involving territorial protection - the Prime Minister concluded.

Travel Impacts

Lithuanian airports were closed three times at the weekend due to weather balloons originating from neighboring territory, affecting 112 flights and more than 16,500 passengers, per transportation authority data.

During the current month, 25 balloons entered Lithuania from Belarus, causing dozens of flight disruptions impacting thousands, according to emergency management officials.

The phenomenon is not new: as of 6 October, 544 balloons were recorded entering Lithuania across the frontier in recent months, per government spokesperson comments, with nearly thousand incidents during previous year.

Regional Situation

Additional aviation facilities - such as Scandinavian and German locations - have also been affected by air incursions, with unauthorized drone observations, in recent weeks.