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Authorities have decided to intercept and destroy aerial devices transporting contraband tobacco across the border, the country's leader announced.

The measure comes after unauthorized aerial incursions forced Vilnius Airport to close repeatedly in recent days, with weekend disruptions, with the government also closing frontier checkpoints during these events.

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 "all necessary measures" to shoot down balloons.

Concerning border measures, Ruginiene said diplomats will still be able to travel across the international border, while European Union nationals and Lithuanian residents retain entry rights, though all other travel remains prohibited.

"In this way, we are sending a signal to Belarus 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 Minsk officials.

International Consultation

Authorities will discuss with international allies about the security challenges presented and may discuss activating the NATO consultation clause - a protocol allowing member state consultation about national security issues, especially related to its security - the Prime Minister concluded.

Airport Disruptions

Aviation hubs faced multiple shutdowns at the weekend due to weather balloons originating from neighboring territory, impacting over hundred flights and thousands of travelers, per transportation authority data.

During the current month, several unauthorized objects traversed the border, resulting in numerous canceled flights and passenger inconveniences, according to emergency management officials.

This situation represents ongoing challenges: through early October, hundreds of aerial devices documented crossing borders across the frontier in recent months, an NCMC spokesman said, with nearly thousand incidents during previous year.

International Perspective

International air travel hubs - covering northern and central European sites - faced comparable aviation security challenges, including drone sightings, over past months.