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The Baltic nation plans to intercept and destroy aerial devices transporting contraband tobacco across the border, government officials confirmed.

This action responds after unauthorized aerial incursions necessitated airport closures multiple times over the past week, affecting holiday travel, while authorities suspended cross-border movement during each incident.

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

According to official declarations, "authorities will not hesitate to employ even the most severe actions when our airspace is violated."

National Security Actions

Detailing the measures during a briefing, officials stated defense units were executing "complete operational protocols" to eliminate aerial threats.

About the border closure, officials noted embassy personnel maintain access between the two countries, while European Union nationals and Lithuanian residents retain entry rights, though all other travel remains prohibited.

"Through these actions, we communicate to foreign authorities stating that asymmetric operations face opposition across our nation, employing comprehensive defensive actions to stop such attacks," government officials declared.

Authorities received no prompt reaction from Minsk officials.

International Consultation

Lithuania plans to consult its allies over the threat posed from the balloons and may discuss activating the alliance's consultation mechanism - a request for consultation by a Nato member country about national security issues, especially related to its security - she added.

Flight Cancellations

Aviation hubs faced multiple shutdowns at the weekend due to weather balloons originating from neighboring territory, impacting over hundred flights and thousands of travelers, based on regional media reports.

Earlier this 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.

These incidents continue previous patterns: as of 6 October, numerous unauthorized objects tracked entering airspace from neighboring territory during current year, per government spokesperson comments, compared to higher numbers in prior period.

International Perspective

Additional aviation facilities - such as Scandinavian and German locations - experienced similar aerial disruptions, including drone sightings, in recent weeks.