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Authorities have decided to eliminate balloons used to smuggle cigarettes from neighbouring Belarus, government officials confirmed.

This action responds after unauthorized aerial incursions necessitated airport closures multiple times over the past week, including at the weekend, while authorities suspended frontier checkpoints during these events.

Frontier crossing points remain suspended indefinitely due to the ongoing aerial incidents.

The government leader stated, "authorities will not hesitate to employ even the most severe actions when our airspace is violated."

Government Response

Outlining the strategy to media, officials stated defense units were executing "complete operational protocols" to eliminate aerial threats.

Regarding frontier restrictions, officials noted embassy personnel maintain access between the two countries, with special provisions for EU and Lithuanian nationals, but no other movement will be allowed.

"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.

Official communications saw no quick answer from Minsk officials.

International Consultation

Authorities will discuss with international allies over the threat posed from the balloons and may discuss activating the alliance's consultation mechanism - a request for consultation by a Nato member country regarding security matters, particularly involving territorial protection - she added.

Travel Impacts

Aviation hubs faced multiple shutdowns during holiday periods from balloon incidents originating from neighboring territory, disrupting air transport and passenger movement, based on regional media reports.

During the current month, several unauthorized objects traversed the border, causing dozens of flight disruptions impacting thousands, according to emergency management officials.

These incidents continue previous patterns: through early October, hundreds of aerial devices documented crossing borders across the frontier in recent months, according to official statements, with nearly thousand incidents during previous year.

International Perspective

Other European airports - covering northern and central European sites - have also been affected by air incursions, with unauthorized drone observations, over past months.