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The Baltic nation plans to shoot down helium balloons carrying illicit goods from Belarus, the country's leader announced.

The measure comes after foreign objects crossing the border disrupted air traffic multiple times over the past week, including at the weekend, while authorities suspended frontier checkpoints during these events.

International border access continues restricted following repeated balloon incursions.

Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene said, "authorities will not hesitate to employ maximum response protocols when our airspace is violated."

Government Response

Detailing the measures during a briefing, Ruginiene said the army was taking "every required action" to intercept unauthorized devices.

About the border closure, the Prime Minister confirmed diplomatic movement continues across the international border, and EU citizens and Lithuanians can enter from Belarus, though all other travel remains prohibited.

"Through these actions, we communicate to foreign authorities declaring that unconventional threats won't be accepted across our nation, employing comprehensive defensive actions to prevent similar incidents," the Prime Minister emphasized.

Authorities received no prompt reaction from Belarus.

Diplomatic Measures

Authorities will discuss with international allies about the security challenges presented and may discuss activating the NATO consultation clause - a protocol allowing member state consultation regarding security matters, specifically concerning defense matters - the Prime Minister concluded.

Airport Disruptions

Lithuanian airports were closed three times at the weekend due to weather balloons originating from neighboring territory, affecting 112 flights and more than 16,500 passengers, according to Baltic News Service.

Earlier this month, multiple aerial devices crossed into Lithuanian airspace, resulting in numerous canceled flights and passenger inconveniences, per national security agency reports.

The phenomenon is not new: through early October, hundreds of aerial devices documented crossing borders from neighboring territory during current year, per government spokesperson comments, with nearly thousand incidents during previous year.

Regional Situation

Additional aviation facilities - such as Scandinavian and German locations - faced comparable aviation security challenges, with unauthorized drone observations, in recent weeks.