The Lithuanian government will destroy illicit aerial devices, Prime Minister announces.

Authorities have decided to shoot down aerial devices transporting cigarettes from neighbouring Belarus, the country's leader announced.

This decision follows 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.

International border access continues restricted following repeated balloon incursions.

Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene said, "we are ready to take the strictest possible measures against airspace violations."

Official Measures

Announcing the actions at a press conference, the Prime Minister confirmed military forces were implementing "every required action" to eliminate aerial threats.

Regarding frontier restrictions, officials noted embassy personnel maintain access between the two countries, with special provisions for EU and Lithuanian nationals, but no other movement will be allowed.

"Through these actions, we communicate to the neighboring nation declaring that unconventional threats won't be accepted here, and we will take all the strictest measures to prevent similar incidents," the Prime Minister emphasized.

Official communications saw no quick answer from Minsk officials.

International Consultation

Authorities will discuss with international allies about the security challenges presented with possible discussions about implementing Nato's Article 4 - a request for consultation by a Nato member country about national security issues, particularly involving territorial protection - officials noted.

Flight Cancellations

Lithuanian airports were closed three times during holiday periods from balloon incidents 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, leading to 30 flight cancellations affecting 6,000 passengers, per national security agency reports.

These incidents continue previous patterns: by autumn measurements, numerous unauthorized objects tracked entering airspace from Belarus this year, per government spokesperson comments, with nearly thousand incidents during previous year.

European Context

Additional aviation facilities - including in Copenhagen and Munich - faced comparable aviation security challenges, involving unmanned aerial vehicles, during current period.