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

This decision follows after foreign objects crossing the border necessitated airport closures repeatedly in recent days, including at the weekend, while authorities suspended frontier checkpoints during these events.

International border access continues restricted due to the ongoing aerial incidents.

The government leader stated, "we are ready to take even the most severe actions during unauthorized aerial intrusions."

Government Response

Announcing the actions at a press conference, Ruginiene said the army was taking "all necessary measures" to eliminate aerial threats.

Concerning border measures, 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 stating that asymmetric operations face opposition here, and we will take all the strictest measures to prevent similar incidents," the Prime Minister emphasized.

There has been no immediate response from the neighboring government.

Diplomatic Measures

The Baltic nation intends to coordinate with partners about the security challenges presented while potentially considering invocation of the NATO consultation clause - a request for consultation by a Nato member country about national security issues, especially related to its security - the Prime Minister concluded.

Travel Impacts

National air facilities experienced triple closures over the weekend because of aerial devices from Belarus, affecting 112 flights and more than 16,500 passengers, based on regional media reports.

In recent weeks, 25 balloons entered Lithuania from Belarus, leading to 30 flight cancellations affecting 6,000 passengers, according to emergency management officials.

This situation represents ongoing challenges: by autumn measurements, 544 balloons were recorded entering Lithuania across the frontier in recent months, an NCMC spokesman said, compared to higher numbers in prior period.

European Context

Additional aviation facilities - such as Scandinavian and German locations - experienced similar aerial disruptions, involving unmanned aerial vehicles, during current period.