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Authorities have decided to eliminate balloons used to smuggle illicit goods from Belarus, the country's leader announced.

This decision follows after unauthorized aerial incursions disrupted air traffic on several occasions recently, with weekend disruptions, accompanied by temporary closures of Belarus border crossings temporarily each time.

Border checkpoints will now be closed indefinitely due to the ongoing aerial incidents.

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

Government Response

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

Regarding frontier restrictions, Ruginiene said diplomats will still be able to travel between the two countries, while European Union nationals and Lithuanian residents retain entry rights, though all other travel remains prohibited.

"Through these actions, we communicate to the neighboring nation stating that asymmetric operations face opposition within our territory, and we'll implement maximum countermeasures to stop such attacks," the Prime Minister emphasized.

There has been no immediate response from the neighboring government.

Diplomatic Measures

Authorities will discuss with international allies about the security challenges presented and may discuss activating the NATO consultation clause - a provision enabling alliance discussion on any issue of concern, particularly involving territorial protection - officials noted.

Flight Cancellations

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

Earlier this month, several unauthorized objects traversed the border, leading to 30 flight cancellations affecting 6,000 passengers, Lithuania's National Crisis Management Centre told the BBC.

The phenomenon is not new: through early October, 544 balloons were recorded entering Lithuania from neighboring territory during current year, per government spokesperson comments, compared to higher numbers in prior period.

Regional Situation

Additional aviation facilities - such as Scandinavian and German locations - experienced similar aerial disruptions, involving unmanned aerial vehicles, in recent weeks.