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Authorities have decided to shoot down balloons used to smuggle illicit goods from Belarus, the country's leader announced.

This decision follows after balloons entering Lithuanian airspace necessitated airport closures repeatedly in recent days, with weekend disruptions, while authorities suspended cross-border movement during each incident.

Frontier crossing points remain suspended indefinitely due to the ongoing aerial incidents.

The government leader stated, "authorities will not hesitate to employ the strictest possible measures during unauthorized aerial intrusions."

National Security Actions

Outlining the strategy to media, the Prime Minister confirmed military forces were implementing "complete operational protocols" to intercept unauthorized devices.

About the border closure, officials noted embassy personnel maintain access for cross-border diplomatic missions, while European Union nationals and Lithuanian residents retain entry rights, though all other travel remains prohibited.

"In this way, we are sending a signal to foreign authorities stating that asymmetric operations face opposition here, and we will take all the strictest measures to halt these operations," the Prime Minister emphasized.

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 request for consultation by a Nato member country about national security issues, particularly involving territorial protection - she added.

Airport Disruptions

Lithuanian airports were closed three times over the weekend because of aerial devices crossing the international border, impacting over hundred flights and thousands of travelers, according to Baltic News Service.

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

The phenomenon is not new: through early October, hundreds of aerial devices documented crossing borders from Belarus this year, per government spokesperson comments, with nearly thousand incidents during previous year.

European Context

Additional aviation facilities - including in Copenhagen and Munich - faced comparable aviation security challenges, including drone sightings, over past months.