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Authorities have decided to shoot down helium balloons carrying cigarettes from neighbouring Belarus, government officials confirmed.

This decision follows after unauthorized aerial incursions necessitated airport closures on several occasions recently, affecting holiday travel, accompanied by temporary closures of Belarus border crossings temporarily each time.

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

Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene said, "our nation stands prepared to implement the strictest possible measures against airspace violations."

Official Measures

Announcing the actions at a press conference, officials stated defense units were executing "complete operational protocols" to eliminate aerial threats.

About the border closure, the Prime Minister confirmed diplomatic movement continues across the international border, with special provisions for EU and Lithuanian nationals, but no other movement will be allowed.

"This represents our clear message to the neighboring nation and saying that no hybrid attack will be tolerated here, and we will take all the strictest measures to halt these operations," government officials declared.

Authorities received no prompt reaction from Minsk officials.

International Consultation

Lithuania plans to consult its allies regarding the aerial device concerns with possible discussions about implementing the alliance's consultation mechanism - a provision enabling alliance discussion regarding security matters, especially related to its security - she added.

Airport Disruptions

Lithuanian airports were closed three times during holiday periods from balloon incidents from Belarus, affecting 112 flights and more than 16,500 passengers, according to Baltic News Service.

During the current month, 25 balloons entered Lithuania from Belarus, causing dozens of flight disruptions impacting thousands, per national security agency reports.

This situation represents ongoing challenges: as of 6 October, 544 balloons were recorded entering Lithuania from neighboring territory during current year, an NCMC spokesman said, with nearly thousand incidents during previous year.

Regional Situation

International air travel hubs - including in Copenhagen and Munich - faced comparable aviation security challenges, with unauthorized drone observations, during current period.