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

The measure comes after balloons entering Lithuanian airspace necessitated airport closures repeatedly in recent days, including at the weekend, while authorities suspended frontier checkpoints during these events.

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

According to official declarations, "our nation stands prepared to implement maximum response protocols when our airspace is violated."

Official Measures

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

Concerning border measures, the Prime Minister confirmed diplomatic movement continues for cross-border diplomatic missions, with special provisions for EU and Lithuanian nationals, but no other movement will be allowed.

"Through these actions, we communicate to the neighboring nation declaring that unconventional threats won't be accepted within our territory, and we'll implement maximum countermeasures to stop such attacks," the Prime Minister emphasized.

There has been no immediate response from the neighboring government.

Diplomatic Measures

Lithuania plans to consult its allies over the threat posed from the balloons while potentially considering invocation of Nato's Article 4 - a protocol allowing member state consultation on any issue of concern, specifically concerning defense matters - she added.

Flight Cancellations

Aviation hubs faced multiple shutdowns over the weekend because of aerial devices crossing the international border, impacting over hundred flights and thousands of travelers, based on regional media reports.

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.

These incidents continue previous patterns: by autumn measurements, hundreds of aerial devices documented crossing borders across the frontier in recent months, according to official statements, while 966 were recorded last year.

European Context

Additional aviation facilities - including in Copenhagen and Munich - faced comparable aviation security challenges, including drone sightings, over past months.