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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 balloons entering Lithuanian airspace forced Vilnius Airport to close multiple times over the past week, affecting holiday travel, while authorities suspended frontier checkpoints during these events.

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

The government leader stated, "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 shoot down balloons.

Regarding frontier restrictions, Ruginiene said diplomats will still be able to travel between the two countries, while European Union nationals and Lithuanian residents retain entry rights, 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 across our nation, employing comprehensive defensive actions to prevent similar incidents," government officials declared.

Official communications saw no quick answer from the neighboring government.

Diplomatic Measures

The Baltic nation intends to coordinate with partners about the security challenges presented with possible discussions about implementing the NATO consultation clause - a provision enabling alliance discussion regarding security matters, particularly involving territorial protection - the Prime Minister concluded.

Flight Cancellations

Lithuanian airports were closed three times over the weekend because of aerial devices from Belarus, impacting over hundred flights and thousands of travelers, based on regional media reports.

Earlier this month, multiple aerial devices crossed into Lithuanian airspace, causing dozens of flight disruptions impacting thousands, per national security agency reports.

These incidents continue previous patterns: as of 6 October, numerous unauthorized objects tracked entering airspace from neighboring territory during current year, an NCMC spokesman said, with nearly thousand incidents during previous year.

International Perspective

Additional aviation facilities - including in Copenhagen and Munich - faced comparable aviation security challenges, with unauthorized drone observations, during current period.