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The Baltic nation plans to shoot down balloons used to smuggle contraband tobacco across the border, the country's leader announced.

This action responds after foreign objects crossing the border disrupted air traffic repeatedly in recent days, with weekend disruptions, with the government also closing frontier checkpoints during these events.

International border access continues restricted following repeated balloon incursions.

Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene said, "our nation stands prepared to implement maximum response protocols against airspace violations."

Government Response

Detailing the measures during a briefing, the Prime Minister confirmed military forces were implementing "every required action" to intercept unauthorized devices.

Concerning border measures, 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.

"In this way, we are sending a signal to foreign authorities and saying that no hybrid attack will be tolerated within our territory, and we'll implement maximum countermeasures to halt these operations," the Prime Minister emphasized.

Authorities received no prompt reaction from the neighboring government.

International Consultation

The Baltic nation intends to coordinate with partners about the security challenges presented with possible discussions about implementing the alliance's consultation mechanism - a protocol allowing member state consultation about national security issues, particularly involving territorial protection - she added.

Flight Cancellations

Aviation hubs faced multiple shutdowns over the weekend because of aerial devices crossing the international border, disrupting air transport and passenger movement, according to Baltic News Service.

In recent weeks, multiple aerial devices crossed into Lithuanian airspace, leading to 30 flight cancellations affecting 6,000 passengers, per national security agency reports.

The phenomenon is not new: through early October, hundreds of aerial devices documented crossing borders from Belarus this year, an NCMC spokesman said, compared to higher numbers in prior period.

Regional Situation

Other European airports - such as Scandinavian and German locations - have also been affected by air incursions, involving unmanned aerial vehicles, in recent weeks.