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The Baltic nation plans to eliminate helium balloons carrying illicit goods from Belarus, its prime minister has warned.

This action responds after unauthorized aerial incursions disrupted air traffic repeatedly in recent days, including at the weekend, while authorities suspended cross-border movement during each incident.

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

According to official declarations, "authorities will not hesitate to employ the strictest possible measures when our airspace is violated."

Official Measures

Announcing the actions at a press conference, the Prime Minister confirmed military forces were implementing "all necessary measures" to eliminate aerial threats.

About the border closure, officials noted embassy personnel maintain access for cross-border diplomatic missions, with special provisions for EU and Lithuanian nationals, however general movement continues suspended.

"Through these actions, we communicate to foreign authorities declaring that unconventional threats won't be accepted here, and we will take all the strictest measures to stop such attacks," the Prime Minister emphasized.

There has been no immediate response from Minsk officials.

International Consultation

The Baltic nation intends to coordinate with partners regarding the aerial device concerns and may discuss activating Nato's Article 4 - a provision enabling alliance discussion on any issue of concern, especially related to its security - officials noted.

Flight Cancellations

Lithuanian airports were closed three times during holiday periods from balloon incidents from Belarus, affecting 112 flights and more than 16,500 passengers, per transportation authority data.

Earlier this month, multiple aerial devices crossed into Lithuanian airspace, causing dozens of flight disruptions impacting thousands, Lithuania's National Crisis Management Centre told the BBC.

This situation represents ongoing challenges: as of 6 October, numerous unauthorized objects tracked entering airspace from Belarus this year, an NCMC spokesman said, with nearly thousand incidents during previous year.

European Context

Additional aviation facilities - covering northern and central European sites - experienced similar aerial disruptions, including drone sightings, during current period.