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The Baltic nation plans to eliminate balloons used to smuggle cigarettes from neighbouring Belarus, the country's leader announced.

This action responds after foreign objects crossing the border disrupted air traffic multiple times over the past week, including at the weekend, while authorities suspended 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 maximum response protocols against airspace violations."

Official Measures

Announcing the actions at a press conference, Ruginiene said the army was taking "all necessary measures" to eliminate aerial threats.

Regarding frontier restrictions, 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.

"This represents our clear message to Belarus declaring that unconventional threats won't be accepted across our nation, employing comprehensive defensive actions to halt these operations," she said.

Official communications saw no quick answer from Minsk officials.

Alliance Coordination

Authorities will discuss with international allies regarding the aerial device concerns and may discuss activating the alliance's consultation mechanism - a request for consultation by a Nato member country about national security issues, particularly involving territorial protection - she added.

Travel Impacts

National air facilities experienced triple closures at the weekend due to weather balloons originating from neighboring territory, impacting over hundred flights and thousands of travelers, based on regional media reports.

During the current month, 25 balloons entered Lithuania from Belarus, causing dozens of flight disruptions impacting thousands, 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, an NCMC spokesman said, compared to higher numbers in prior period.

Regional Situation

Additional aviation facilities - including in Copenhagen and Munich - have also been affected by air incursions, including drone sightings, during current period.