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Lithuania will begin to shoot down balloons used to smuggle cigarettes from neighbouring Belarus, the country's leader announced.

This decision follows after foreign objects crossing the border forced Vilnius Airport to close multiple times over the past week, including at the weekend, while authorities suspended frontier checkpoints during these events.

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

Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene said, "our nation stands prepared to implement the strictest possible measures when our airspace is violated."

National Security Actions

Announcing the actions at a press conference, officials stated defense units were executing "every required action" 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, but no other movement will be allowed.

"This represents our clear message to Belarus declaring that unconventional threats won't be accepted within our territory, and we'll implement maximum countermeasures to halt these operations," government officials declared.

There has been no immediate response from Minsk officials.

Diplomatic Measures

Authorities will discuss with international allies about the security challenges presented with possible discussions about implementing Nato's Article 4 - a protocol allowing member state consultation on any issue of concern, particularly involving territorial protection - she added.

Airport Disruptions

National air facilities experienced triple closures over the weekend because of aerial devices originating from neighboring territory, disrupting air transport and passenger movement, per transportation authority data.

In recent weeks, 25 balloons entered Lithuania from Belarus, causing dozens of flight disruptions impacting thousands, Lithuania's National Crisis Management Centre told the BBC.

This situation represents ongoing challenges: through early October, 544 balloons were recorded entering Lithuania across the frontier in recent months, according to official statements, with nearly thousand incidents during previous year.

European Context

Other European airports - covering northern and central European sites - faced comparable aviation security challenges, involving unmanned aerial vehicles, during current period.