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Lithuania will begin to intercept and destroy balloons used to smuggle illicit goods from Belarus, government officials confirmed.

The measure comes after balloons entering Lithuanian airspace forced Vilnius Airport to close on several occasions recently, with weekend disruptions, while authorities suspended frontier checkpoints during these events.

Border checkpoints will now be closed indefinitely following repeated balloon incursions.

According to official declarations, "we are ready to take the strictest possible measures during unauthorized aerial intrusions."

National Security Actions

Detailing the measures during a briefing, officials stated defense units were executing "complete operational protocols" to shoot down balloons.

Concerning border measures, officials noted embassy personnel maintain access across the international border, and EU citizens and Lithuanians can enter from Belarus, however general movement continues suspended.

"In this way, we are sending a signal to the neighboring nation and saying that no hybrid attack will be tolerated here, and we will take all the strictest measures to halt these operations," government officials declared.

Authorities received no prompt reaction from Minsk officials.

International Consultation

Authorities will discuss with international allies regarding the aerial device concerns while potentially considering invocation of Nato's Article 4 - a protocol allowing member state consultation regarding security matters, specifically concerning defense matters - the Prime Minister concluded.

Travel Impacts

National air facilities experienced triple closures during holiday periods from balloon incidents crossing the international border, affecting 112 flights and more than 16,500 passengers, per transportation authority data.

During the current month, 25 balloons entered Lithuania from Belarus, leading to 30 flight cancellations affecting 6,000 passengers, according to emergency management officials.

The phenomenon is not new: through early October, hundreds of aerial devices documented crossing borders from neighboring territory during current year, according to official statements, with nearly thousand incidents during previous year.

European Context

Other European airports - covering northern and central European sites - experienced similar aerial disruptions, with unauthorized drone observations, over past months.