The Lithuanian government will destroy contraband-carrying balloons, Prime Minister announces.

Authorities have decided to eliminate balloons used to smuggle cigarettes from neighbouring Belarus, its prime minister has warned.

This action responds after unauthorized aerial incursions disrupted air traffic multiple times over the past week, affecting holiday travel, accompanied by temporary closures of frontier checkpoints during these events.

Border checkpoints will now be closed indefinitely in response to the helium weather balloons.

The government leader stated, "we are ready to take the strictest possible measures when our airspace is violated."

Official Measures

Outlining the strategy to media, the Prime Minister confirmed military forces were implementing "all necessary measures" to eliminate aerial threats.

Regarding frontier restrictions, officials noted embassy personnel maintain access for cross-border diplomatic missions, while European Union nationals and Lithuanian residents retain entry rights, but no other movement will be allowed.

"Through these actions, we communicate to foreign authorities declaring that unconventional threats won't be accepted here, and we will take all the strictest measures to stop such attacks," she said.

There has been no immediate response from Minsk officials.

Diplomatic Measures

Authorities will discuss with international allies regarding the aerial device concerns with possible discussions about implementing the NATO consultation clause - a provision enabling alliance discussion about national security issues, especially related to its security - she added.

Travel Impacts

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

During the current month, several unauthorized objects traversed the border, leading to 30 flight cancellations affecting 6,000 passengers, Lithuania's National Crisis Management Centre told the BBC.

These incidents continue previous patterns: by autumn measurements, numerous unauthorized objects tracked entering airspace across the frontier in recent months, an NCMC spokesman said, compared to higher numbers in prior period.

International Perspective

International air travel hubs - covering northern and central European sites - experienced similar aerial disruptions, involving unmanned aerial vehicles, during current period.