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Lithuania will begin to eliminate helium balloons carrying contraband tobacco across the border, its prime minister has warned.

This decision follows after unauthorized aerial incursions disrupted air traffic repeatedly in recent days, including at the weekend, accompanied by temporary closures of cross-border movement during each incident.

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

According to official declarations, "authorities will not hesitate to employ even the most severe actions when our airspace is violated."

National Security Actions

Announcing the actions at a press conference, Ruginiene said the army was taking "every required action" to eliminate aerial threats.

Regarding frontier restrictions, officials noted embassy personnel maintain access for cross-border diplomatic missions, with special provisions for EU and Lithuanian nationals, but no other movement will be allowed.

"Through these actions, we communicate to the neighboring nation declaring that unconventional threats won't be accepted across our nation, employing comprehensive defensive actions to prevent similar incidents," the Prime Minister emphasized.

There has been no immediate response from Minsk officials.

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 request for consultation by a Nato member country on any issue of concern, particularly involving territorial protection - the Prime Minister concluded.

Travel Impacts

National air facilities experienced triple closures at the weekend due to weather balloons from Belarus, impacting over hundred flights and thousands of travelers, per transportation authority data.

During the current month, several unauthorized objects traversed the border, causing dozens of flight disruptions impacting thousands, Lithuania's National Crisis Management Centre told the BBC.

This situation represents ongoing challenges: through early October, 544 balloons were recorded entering Lithuania from Belarus this year, per government spokesperson comments, while 966 were recorded last year.

Regional Situation

Other European airports - including in Copenhagen and Munich - faced comparable aviation security challenges, involving unmanned aerial vehicles, during current period.