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Lithuania will begin to intercept and destroy aerial devices transporting illicit goods from Belarus, government officials confirmed.

This action responds after balloons entering Lithuanian airspace necessitated airport closures repeatedly in recent days, affecting holiday travel, while authorities suspended Belarus border crossings temporarily each time.

Border checkpoints will now be closed indefinitely following repeated balloon incursions.

Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene said, "our nation stands prepared to implement even the most severe actions against airspace violations."

Official Measures

Outlining the strategy to media, officials stated defense units were executing "complete operational protocols" to intercept unauthorized devices.

About the border closure, Ruginiene said diplomats will still be able to travel for cross-border diplomatic missions, while European Union nationals and Lithuanian residents retain entry rights, but no other movement will be allowed.

"This represents our clear message to the neighboring nation declaring that unconventional threats won't be accepted across our nation, employing comprehensive defensive actions to stop such attacks," she said.

There has been no immediate response from Belarus.

International Consultation

The Baltic nation intends to coordinate with partners over the threat posed from the balloons while potentially considering invocation of the alliance's consultation mechanism - a request for consultation by a Nato member country on any issue of concern, particularly involving territorial protection - the Prime Minister concluded.

Airport Disruptions

Aviation hubs faced multiple shutdowns at the weekend due to weather balloons originating from neighboring territory, impacting over hundred flights and thousands of travelers, per transportation authority data.

In recent weeks, 25 balloons entered Lithuania from Belarus, resulting in numerous canceled flights and passenger inconveniences, Lithuania's National Crisis Management Centre told the BBC.

The phenomenon is not new: as of 6 October, hundreds of aerial devices documented crossing borders from neighboring territory during current year, according to official statements, with nearly thousand incidents during previous year.

European Context

Additional aviation facilities - covering northern and central European sites - faced comparable aviation security challenges, involving unmanned aerial vehicles, in recent weeks.