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

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

International border access continues restricted following repeated balloon incursions.

Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene said, "we are ready to take the strictest possible measures against airspace violations."

Government Response

Announcing the actions at a press conference, officials stated defense units were executing "all necessary measures" to shoot down balloons.

Concerning border measures, Ruginiene said diplomats will still be able to travel for cross-border diplomatic missions, while European Union nationals and Lithuanian residents retain entry rights, however general movement continues suspended.

"This represents our clear message to the neighboring nation and saying that no hybrid attack will be tolerated across our nation, employing comprehensive defensive actions to prevent similar incidents," the Prime Minister emphasized.

There has been no immediate response from Minsk officials.

International Consultation

The Baltic nation intends to coordinate with partners regarding the aerial device concerns with possible discussions about implementing the alliance's consultation mechanism - a provision enabling alliance discussion on any issue of concern, especially related to its security - the Prime Minister concluded.

Airport Disruptions

Aviation hubs faced multiple shutdowns during holiday periods from balloon incidents originating from neighboring territory, disrupting air transport and passenger movement, per transportation authority data.

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.

This situation represents ongoing challenges: by autumn measurements, numerous unauthorized objects tracked entering airspace from Belarus this year, according to official statements, while 966 were recorded last year.

European Context

International air travel hubs - including in Copenhagen and Munich - have also been affected by air incursions, involving unmanned aerial vehicles, over past months.