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Authorities have decided to shoot down balloons used to smuggle illicit goods from Belarus, its prime minister has warned.

This action responds after foreign objects crossing the border disrupted air traffic on several occasions recently, affecting holiday travel, while authorities suspended cross-border movement during each incident.

International border access continues restricted due to the ongoing aerial incidents.

According to official declarations, "our nation stands prepared to implement the strictest possible measures against airspace violations."

Official Measures

Announcing the actions at a press conference, the Prime Minister confirmed military forces were implementing "every required action" to shoot down balloons.

Concerning border measures, Ruginiene said diplomats will still be able to travel between the two countries, and EU citizens and Lithuanians can enter from Belarus, but no other movement will be allowed.

"This represents our clear message to foreign authorities declaring that unconventional threats won't be accepted here, and we will take all the strictest measures to stop such attacks," the Prime Minister emphasized.

Authorities received no prompt reaction from Minsk officials.

International Consultation

The Baltic nation intends to coordinate with partners about the security challenges presented while potentially considering invocation of the alliance's consultation mechanism - a protocol allowing member state consultation regarding security matters, specifically concerning defense matters - the Prime Minister concluded.

Airport Disruptions

Lithuanian airports were closed three times at the weekend due to weather balloons from Belarus, impacting over hundred flights and thousands of travelers, according to Baltic News Service.

In recent weeks, 25 balloons entered Lithuania from Belarus, causing dozens of flight disruptions impacting thousands, according to emergency management officials.

This situation represents ongoing challenges: by autumn measurements, 544 balloons were recorded entering Lithuania from neighboring territory during current year, an NCMC spokesman said, with nearly thousand incidents during previous year.

International Perspective

Other European airports - covering northern and central European sites - faced comparable aviation security challenges, including drone sightings, over past months.