Lithuania will destroy smuggling balloons, Prime Minister announces.

Authorities have decided to shoot down aerial devices transporting illicit goods from Belarus, its prime minister has warned.

This decision follows after foreign objects crossing the border forced Vilnius Airport to close multiple times over the past week, including at the weekend, accompanied by temporary closures of cross-border movement during each incident.

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

According to official declarations, "our nation stands prepared to implement even the most severe actions against airspace violations."

Official Measures

Outlining the strategy to media, Ruginiene said the army was taking "all necessary measures" to eliminate aerial threats.

About the border closure, the Prime Minister confirmed diplomatic movement continues between the two countries, while European Union nationals and Lithuanian residents retain entry rights, however general movement continues suspended.

"This represents our clear message to Belarus declaring that unconventional threats won't be accepted within our territory, and we'll implement maximum countermeasures to halt these operations," she said.

There has been no immediate response from Belarus.

Alliance Coordination

Authorities will discuss with international allies over the threat posed from the balloons with possible discussions about implementing Nato's Article 4 - a protocol allowing member state consultation regarding security matters, especially related to its security - the Prime Minister concluded.

Airport Disruptions

National air facilities experienced triple closures during holiday periods from balloon incidents from Belarus, impacting over hundred flights and thousands of travelers, based on regional media reports.

In recent weeks, several unauthorized objects traversed the border, causing dozens of flight disruptions impacting thousands, per national security agency reports.

This situation represents ongoing challenges: by autumn measurements, hundreds of aerial devices documented crossing borders from Belarus this year, an NCMC spokesman said, with nearly thousand incidents during previous year.

Regional Situation

International air travel hubs - covering northern and central European sites - faced comparable aviation security challenges, involving unmanned aerial vehicles, in recent weeks.