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Lithuania will begin to shoot down helium balloons carrying illicit goods from Belarus, its prime minister has warned.

This decision follows after foreign objects crossing the border disrupted air traffic multiple times over the past week, with weekend disruptions, accompanied by temporary closures of Belarus border crossings temporarily each time.

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

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

Government Response

Announcing the actions at a press conference, officials stated defense units were executing "all necessary measures" to eliminate aerial threats.

About the border closure, Ruginiene said diplomats will still be able to travel across the international border, while European Union nationals and Lithuanian residents retain entry rights, however general movement continues suspended.

"This represents our clear message to foreign authorities and saying that no hybrid attack will be tolerated here, and we will take all the strictest measures to stop such attacks," the Prime Minister emphasized.

Official communications saw no quick answer from Belarus.

Alliance Coordination

Authorities will discuss with international allies regarding the aerial device concerns while potentially considering invocation of Nato's Article 4 - a provision enabling alliance discussion about national security issues, specifically concerning defense matters - the Prime Minister concluded.

Travel Impacts

Lithuanian airports were closed three times at the weekend due to weather balloons originating from neighboring territory, affecting 112 flights and more than 16,500 passengers, according to Baltic News Service.

In recent weeks, multiple aerial devices crossed into Lithuanian airspace, causing dozens of flight disruptions impacting thousands, per national security agency reports.

The phenomenon is not new: through early October, hundreds of aerial devices documented crossing borders from Belarus this year, according to official statements, compared to higher numbers in prior period.

Regional Situation

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