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Authorities have decided to intercept and destroy balloons used to smuggle contraband tobacco across the border, the country's leader announced.

This action responds after unauthorized aerial incursions necessitated airport closures on several occasions recently, with weekend disruptions, while authorities suspended cross-border movement during each incident.

Frontier crossing points remain suspended indefinitely in response to the helium weather balloons.

According to official declarations, "authorities will not hesitate to employ maximum response protocols during unauthorized aerial intrusions."

National Security Actions

Announcing the actions at a press conference, Ruginiene said the army was taking "every required action" to intercept unauthorized devices.

Concerning border measures, officials noted embassy personnel maintain access for cross-border diplomatic missions, while European Union nationals and Lithuanian residents retain entry rights, however general movement continues suspended.

"In this way, we are sending a signal to Belarus stating that asymmetric operations face opposition within our territory, and we'll implement maximum countermeasures to prevent similar incidents," government officials declared.

There has been no immediate response from the neighboring government.

Alliance Coordination

Authorities will discuss with international allies about the security challenges presented with possible discussions about implementing the NATO consultation clause - a request for consultation by a Nato member country about national security issues, specifically concerning defense matters - she added.

Flight Cancellations

Lithuanian airports were closed three times over the weekend because of aerial devices crossing the international border, impacting over hundred flights and thousands of travelers, according to Baltic News Service.

In recent weeks, 25 balloons entered Lithuania from Belarus, causing dozens of flight disruptions impacting thousands, per national security agency reports.

The phenomenon is not new: through early October, numerous unauthorized objects tracked entering airspace from neighboring territory during current year, according to official statements, while 966 were recorded last year.

International Perspective

Other European airports - covering northern and central European sites - experienced similar aerial disruptions, involving unmanned aerial vehicles, in recent weeks.