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The Baltic nation plans to eliminate helium balloons carrying contraband tobacco across the border, government officials confirmed.

The measure comes after unauthorized aerial incursions disrupted air traffic on several occasions recently, including at the weekend, with the government also closing cross-border movement during each incident.

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

The government leader stated, "authorities will not hesitate to employ the strictest possible measures during unauthorized aerial intrusions."

Government Response

Detailing the measures during a briefing, the Prime Minister confirmed military forces were implementing "all necessary measures" to eliminate aerial threats.

Concerning border measures, the Prime Minister confirmed diplomatic movement continues across the international border, while European Union nationals and Lithuanian residents retain entry rights, though all other travel remains prohibited.

"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.

Diplomatic Measures

Authorities will discuss with international allies about the security challenges presented with possible discussions about implementing the alliance's consultation mechanism - a provision enabling alliance discussion on any issue of concern, specifically concerning defense matters - officials noted.

Flight Cancellations

Lithuanian airports were closed three times during holiday periods from balloon incidents from Belarus, impacting over hundred flights and thousands of travelers, per transportation authority data.

In recent weeks, several unauthorized objects traversed the border, leading to 30 flight cancellations affecting 6,000 passengers, according to emergency management officials.

The phenomenon is not new: through early October, 544 balloons were recorded entering Lithuania across the frontier in recent months, per government spokesperson comments, with nearly thousand incidents during previous year.

European Context

Other European airports - including in Copenhagen and Munich - faced comparable aviation security challenges, including drone sightings, in recent weeks.