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The Baltic nation plans to shoot down balloons used to smuggle contraband tobacco across the border, the country's leader announced.

The measure comes after unauthorized aerial incursions disrupted air traffic on several occasions recently, affecting holiday travel, accompanied by temporary closures of frontier checkpoints during these events.

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

According to official declarations, "we are ready to take maximum response protocols when our airspace is violated."

Official Measures

Detailing the measures during a briefing, officials stated defense units were executing "all necessary measures" to shoot down balloons.

About the border closure, officials noted embassy personnel maintain access for cross-border diplomatic missions, with special provisions for EU and Lithuanian nationals, but no other movement will be allowed.

"In this way, we are sending a signal to foreign authorities and saying that no hybrid attack will be tolerated across our nation, employing comprehensive defensive actions to prevent similar incidents," government officials declared.

Authorities received no prompt reaction from Belarus.

Alliance Coordination

Authorities will discuss with international allies about the security challenges presented and may discuss activating the NATO consultation clause - a provision enabling alliance discussion regarding security matters, specifically concerning defense matters - officials noted.

Travel Impacts

Lithuanian airports were closed three times at the weekend due to weather balloons from Belarus, impacting over hundred flights and thousands of travelers, per transportation authority data.

Earlier this month, several unauthorized objects traversed the border, resulting in numerous canceled flights and passenger inconveniences, Lithuania's National Crisis Management Centre told the BBC.

The phenomenon is not new: by autumn measurements, numerous unauthorized objects tracked entering airspace from neighboring territory during current year, according to official statements, compared to higher numbers in prior period.

Regional Situation

Additional aviation facilities - covering northern and central European sites - faced comparable aviation security challenges, including drone sightings, over past months.