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Authorities have decided to eliminate aerial devices transporting contraband tobacco across the border, government officials confirmed.

The measure comes after balloons entering Lithuanian airspace forced Vilnius Airport to close multiple times over the past week, with weekend disruptions, with the government also closing cross-border movement during each incident.

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

According to official declarations, "authorities will not hesitate to employ maximum response protocols against airspace violations."

National Security Actions

Detailing the measures during a briefing, the Prime Minister confirmed military forces were implementing "every required action" to eliminate aerial threats.

Concerning border measures, Ruginiene said diplomats will still be able to travel for cross-border diplomatic missions, 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 Belarus and saying that no hybrid attack will be tolerated across our nation, employing comprehensive defensive actions to halt these operations," government officials declared.

Authorities received no prompt reaction from Belarus.

Alliance Coordination

The Baltic nation intends to coordinate with partners about the security challenges presented and may discuss activating the NATO consultation clause - a protocol allowing member state consultation about national security issues, especially related to its security - officials noted.

Airport Disruptions

Aviation hubs faced multiple shutdowns during holiday periods from balloon incidents crossing the international border, affecting 112 flights and more than 16,500 passengers, per transportation authority data.

In recent weeks, 25 balloons entered Lithuania from Belarus, leading to 30 flight cancellations affecting 6,000 passengers, per national security agency reports.

This situation represents ongoing challenges: as of 6 October, numerous unauthorized objects tracked entering airspace across the frontier in recent months, an NCMC spokesman said, while 966 were recorded last year.

International Perspective

International air travel hubs - including in Copenhagen and Munich - have also been affected by air incursions, with unauthorized drone observations, over past months.