The Lithuanian government will destroy contraband-carrying balloons, government leader states.

Lithuania will begin to intercept and destroy helium balloons carrying illicit goods from Belarus, government officials confirmed.

This decision follows after unauthorized aerial incursions necessitated airport closures repeatedly in recent days, with weekend disruptions, 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, "we are ready to take even the most severe actions during unauthorized aerial intrusions."

National Security Actions

Announcing the actions at a press conference, Ruginiene said the army was taking "every required action" to intercept unauthorized devices.

Concerning border measures, Ruginiene said diplomats will still be able to travel across the international border, with special provisions for EU and Lithuanian nationals, but no other movement will be allowed.

"Through these actions, we communicate 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," government officials declared.

Official communications saw no quick answer from Belarus.

Diplomatic Measures

The Baltic nation intends to coordinate with partners about the security challenges presented while potentially considering invocation of the alliance's consultation mechanism - a request for consultation by a Nato member country on any issue of concern, specifically concerning defense matters - the Prime Minister concluded.

Flight Cancellations

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, based on regional media reports.

During the current month, 25 balloons entered Lithuania from Belarus, 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 neighboring territory during current year, per government spokesperson comments, with nearly thousand incidents during previous year.

Regional Situation

Other European airports - such as Scandinavian and German locations - experienced similar aerial disruptions, including drone sightings, during current period.