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Lithuania will begin to shoot down helium balloons carrying cigarettes from neighbouring Belarus, the country's leader announced.

The measure comes after unauthorized aerial incursions necessitated airport closures on several occasions recently, affecting holiday travel, while authorities suspended frontier checkpoints during these events.

Frontier crossing points remain suspended indefinitely following repeated balloon incursions.

The government leader stated, "we are ready to take maximum response protocols during unauthorized aerial intrusions."

Government Response

Detailing the measures during a briefing, Ruginiene said the army was taking "all necessary measures" to eliminate aerial threats.

Concerning border measures, officials noted embassy personnel maintain access for cross-border diplomatic missions, and EU citizens and Lithuanians can enter from Belarus, though all other travel remains prohibited.

"This represents our clear message to Belarus declaring that unconventional threats won't be accepted within our territory, and we'll implement maximum countermeasures to prevent similar incidents," government officials declared.

Official communications saw no quick answer from the neighboring government.

International Consultation

The Baltic nation intends to coordinate with partners about the security challenges presented with possible discussions about implementing the NATO consultation clause - a protocol allowing member state consultation regarding security matters, especially related to its security - officials noted.

Travel Impacts

Lithuanian airports were closed three times at the weekend due to weather balloons from Belarus, impacting over hundred flights and thousands of travelers, based on regional media reports.

During the current month, several unauthorized objects traversed the border, leading to 30 flight cancellations affecting 6,000 passengers, Lithuania's National Crisis Management Centre told the BBC.

The phenomenon is not new: by autumn measurements, numerous unauthorized objects tracked entering airspace across the frontier in recent months, according to official statements, with nearly thousand incidents during previous year.

International Perspective

International air travel hubs - including in Copenhagen and Munich - experienced similar aerial disruptions, involving unmanned aerial vehicles, in recent weeks.