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Authorities have decided to eliminate helium balloons carrying contraband tobacco across the border, government officials confirmed.

This decision follows after unauthorized aerial incursions forced Vilnius Airport to close repeatedly in recent days, including at the weekend, while authorities suspended Belarus border crossings temporarily each time.

Frontier crossing points remain suspended indefinitely following repeated balloon incursions.

According to official declarations, "we are ready to take maximum response protocols against airspace violations."

National Security Actions

Announcing the actions at a press conference, the Prime Minister confirmed military forces were implementing "complete operational protocols" to eliminate aerial threats.

About the border closure, 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 declaring that unconventional threats won't be accepted across our nation, employing comprehensive defensive actions to prevent similar incidents," government officials declared.

There has been no immediate response from Belarus.

Diplomatic Measures

Authorities will discuss with international allies over the threat posed from the balloons with possible discussions about implementing Nato's Article 4 - a provision enabling alliance discussion about national security issues, particularly involving territorial protection - the Prime Minister concluded.

Travel Impacts

National air facilities experienced triple closures over the weekend because of aerial devices originating from neighboring territory, impacting over hundred flights and thousands of travelers, per transportation authority data.

During the current month, 25 balloons entered Lithuania from Belarus, resulting in numerous canceled flights and passenger inconveniences, Lithuania's National Crisis Management Centre told the BBC.

The phenomenon is not new: as of 6 October, numerous unauthorized objects tracked entering airspace from neighboring territory during current year, an NCMC spokesman said, compared to higher numbers in prior period.

International Perspective

International air travel hubs - covering northern and central European sites - faced comparable aviation security challenges, including drone sightings, over past months.