The Lithuanian government to shoot down illicit aerial devices, Prime Minister announces.

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

The measure comes after unauthorized aerial incursions forced Vilnius Airport to close repeatedly in recent days, affecting holiday travel, accompanied by temporary closures of frontier checkpoints during these events.

Frontier crossing points remain suspended indefinitely following repeated balloon incursions.

According to official declarations, "authorities will not hesitate to employ even the most severe actions against airspace violations."

Government Response

Announcing the actions at a press conference, officials stated defense units were executing "all necessary measures" to intercept unauthorized devices.

Regarding frontier restrictions, Ruginiene said diplomats will still be able to travel across the international border, and EU citizens and Lithuanians can enter from Belarus, however general movement continues suspended.

"This represents our clear message to Belarus declaring that unconventional threats won't be accepted here, and we will take all the strictest measures to stop such attacks," she said.

Authorities received no prompt reaction from Minsk officials.

International Consultation

Authorities will discuss with international allies about the security challenges presented while potentially considering invocation of the alliance's consultation mechanism - a protocol allowing member state consultation about national security issues, particularly involving territorial protection - the Prime Minister concluded.

Travel Impacts

Aviation hubs faced multiple shutdowns at the weekend due to weather balloons from Belarus, impacting over hundred flights and thousands of travelers, based on regional media reports.

During the current month, multiple aerial devices crossed into Lithuanian airspace, resulting in numerous canceled flights and passenger inconveniences, Lithuania's National Crisis Management Centre told the BBC.

This situation represents ongoing challenges: 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.

International Perspective

International air travel hubs - including in Copenhagen and Munich - have also been affected by air incursions, involving unmanned aerial vehicles, in recent weeks.