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Lithuania will begin to intercept and destroy balloons used to smuggle contraband tobacco across the border, the country's leader announced.

This decision follows after foreign objects crossing the border disrupted air traffic on several occasions recently, with weekend disruptions, with the government also closing cross-border movement during each incident.

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

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

Government Response

Outlining the strategy to media, the Prime Minister confirmed military forces were implementing "all necessary measures" to shoot down balloons.

Regarding frontier restrictions, Ruginiene said diplomats will still be able to travel for cross-border diplomatic missions, 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 declaring that unconventional threats won't be accepted within our territory, and we'll implement maximum countermeasures to stop such attacks," she said.

Official communications saw no quick answer from Belarus.

International Consultation

The Baltic nation intends to coordinate with partners over the threat posed from the balloons with possible discussions about implementing Nato's Article 4 - a protocol allowing member state consultation on any issue of concern, specifically concerning defense matters - she added.

Flight Cancellations

Lithuanian airports were closed three times during holiday periods from balloon incidents from Belarus, affecting 112 flights and more than 16,500 passengers, based on regional media reports.

In recent weeks, multiple aerial devices crossed into Lithuanian airspace, resulting in numerous canceled flights and passenger inconveniences, Lithuania's National Crisis Management Centre told the BBC.

The phenomenon is not new: by autumn measurements, 544 balloons were recorded entering Lithuania from neighboring territory during current year, an NCMC spokesman said, compared to higher numbers in prior period.

Regional Situation

Other European airports - such as Scandinavian and German locations - have also been affected by air incursions, with unauthorized drone observations, during current period.