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Lithuania will begin to shoot down aerial devices transporting contraband tobacco across the border, its prime minister has warned.

This action responds after unauthorized aerial incursions forced Vilnius Airport to close multiple times over the past week, including at the weekend, with the government also closing frontier checkpoints during these events.

Frontier crossing points remain suspended indefinitely following repeated balloon incursions.

The government leader stated, "we are ready to take maximum response protocols during unauthorized aerial intrusions."

National Security Actions

Detailing the measures during a briefing, officials stated defense units were executing "every required action" to eliminate aerial threats.

Regarding frontier restrictions, Ruginiene said diplomats will still be able to travel for cross-border diplomatic missions, and EU citizens and Lithuanians can enter from Belarus, however general movement continues suspended.

"Through these actions, we communicate to the neighboring nation stating that asymmetric operations face opposition within our territory, and we'll implement maximum countermeasures to prevent similar incidents," the Prime Minister emphasized.

Official communications saw no quick answer from the neighboring government.

International Consultation

Authorities will discuss with international allies regarding the aerial device concerns while potentially considering invocation of the NATO consultation clause - a protocol allowing member state consultation regarding security matters, particularly involving territorial protection - she added.

Travel Impacts

Lithuanian airports were closed three times at the weekend due to weather balloons from Belarus, impacting over hundred flights and thousands of travelers, per transportation authority data.

In recent weeks, several unauthorized objects traversed the border, resulting in numerous canceled flights and passenger inconveniences, per national security agency reports.

The phenomenon is not new: through early October, hundreds of aerial devices documented crossing borders from neighboring territory during current year, per government spokesperson comments, while 966 were recorded last year.

European Context

Additional aviation facilities - covering northern and central European sites - faced comparable aviation security challenges, involving unmanned aerial vehicles, in recent weeks.