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The Baltic nation plans to intercept and destroy helium balloons carrying cigarettes from neighbouring Belarus, the country's leader announced.

This action responds after unauthorized aerial incursions necessitated airport closures on several occasions recently, affecting holiday travel, accompanied by temporary closures of Belarus border crossings temporarily each time.

International border access continues restricted in response to the helium weather balloons.

According to official declarations, "we are ready to take the strictest possible measures against airspace violations."

National Security Actions

Announcing the actions at a press conference, officials stated defense units were executing "complete operational protocols" to intercept unauthorized devices.

About the border closure, 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 foreign authorities and saying that no hybrid attack will be tolerated here, and we will take all the strictest measures to prevent similar incidents," government officials declared.

Authorities received no prompt reaction from Belarus.

Diplomatic Measures

Lithuania plans to consult its allies regarding the aerial device concerns with possible discussions about implementing the NATO consultation clause - a provision enabling alliance discussion about national security issues, specifically concerning defense matters - the Prime Minister concluded.

Travel Impacts

Aviation hubs faced multiple shutdowns at the weekend due to weather balloons from Belarus, disrupting air transport and passenger movement, per transportation authority data.

In recent weeks, 25 balloons entered Lithuania from Belarus, resulting in numerous canceled flights and passenger inconveniences, according to emergency management officials.

These incidents continue previous patterns: through early October, numerous unauthorized objects tracked entering airspace from neighboring territory during current year, according to official statements, with nearly thousand incidents during previous year.

Regional Situation

Other European airports - such as Scandinavian and German locations - experienced similar aerial disruptions, with unauthorized drone observations, in recent weeks.