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Lithuania will begin to shoot down helium balloons carrying contraband tobacco across the border, its prime minister has warned.

This action responds after foreign objects crossing the border necessitated airport closures on several occasions recently, with weekend disruptions, with the government also closing frontier checkpoints during these events.

Border checkpoints will now be closed indefinitely in response to the helium weather balloons.

The government leader stated, "we are ready to take even the most severe actions during unauthorized aerial intrusions."

National Security Actions

Announcing the actions at a press conference, officials stated defense units were executing "complete operational protocols" to shoot down balloons.

Concerning border measures, the Prime Minister confirmed diplomatic movement continues across the international border, with special provisions for EU and Lithuanian nationals, however general movement continues suspended.

"This represents our clear message to foreign authorities and saying that no hybrid attack will be tolerated here, and we will take all the strictest measures to halt these operations," she said.

There has been no immediate response from Belarus.

Diplomatic Measures

Lithuania plans to consult its allies regarding the aerial device concerns while potentially considering invocation of the NATO consultation clause - a provision enabling alliance discussion regarding security matters, specifically concerning defense matters - she added.

Airport Disruptions

Lithuanian airports were closed three times over the weekend because of aerial devices originating from neighboring territory, disrupting air transport and passenger movement, per transportation authority data.

In recent weeks, multiple aerial devices crossed into Lithuanian airspace, causing dozens of flight disruptions impacting thousands, according to emergency management officials.

The phenomenon is not new: as of 6 October, 544 balloons were recorded entering Lithuania across the frontier in recent months, an NCMC spokesman said, compared to higher numbers in prior period.

Regional Situation

International air travel hubs - covering northern and central European sites - experienced similar aerial disruptions, involving unmanned aerial vehicles, over past months.