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Authorities have decided to shoot down balloons used to smuggle illicit goods from Belarus, its prime minister has warned.

This decision follows after unauthorized aerial incursions disrupted air traffic repeatedly in recent days, including at the weekend, with the government also closing Belarus border crossings temporarily each time.

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

Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene said, "we are ready to take the strictest possible measures against airspace violations."

National Security Actions

Detailing the measures during a briefing, Ruginiene said the army was taking "all necessary measures" to intercept unauthorized devices.

About the border closure, Ruginiene said diplomats will still be able to travel across the international border, while European Union nationals and Lithuanian residents retain entry rights, though all other travel remains prohibited.

"This represents our clear message to foreign authorities declaring that unconventional threats won't be accepted here, and we will take all the strictest measures to halt these operations," the Prime Minister emphasized.

There has been no immediate response from Minsk officials.

International Consultation

Lithuania plans to consult its allies regarding the aerial device concerns while potentially considering invocation of Nato's Article 4 - a protocol allowing member state consultation on any issue of concern, particularly involving territorial protection - the Prime Minister concluded.

Travel Impacts

Aviation hubs faced multiple shutdowns over the weekend because of aerial devices originating from neighboring territory, affecting 112 flights and more than 16,500 passengers, based on regional media reports.

During the current month, several unauthorized objects traversed the border, leading to 30 flight cancellations affecting 6,000 passengers, per national security agency reports.

The phenomenon is not new: through early October, numerous unauthorized objects tracked entering airspace across the frontier in recent months, according to official statements, while 966 were recorded last year.

European Context

International air travel hubs - including in Copenhagen and Munich - have also been affected by air incursions, with unauthorized drone observations, during current period.