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The Baltic nation plans to shoot down balloons used to smuggle illicit goods from Belarus, its prime minister has warned.

The measure comes after unauthorized aerial incursions forced Vilnius Airport to close repeatedly in recent days, including at the weekend, with the government also closing frontier checkpoints during these events.

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

According to official declarations, "our nation stands prepared to implement the strictest possible measures against airspace violations."

National Security Actions

Detailing the measures during a briefing, the Prime Minister confirmed military forces were implementing "complete operational protocols" to shoot down balloons.

Concerning border measures, officials noted embassy personnel maintain access across the international border, while European Union nationals and Lithuanian residents retain entry rights, however general movement continues suspended.

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

Official communications saw no quick answer from Minsk officials.

Diplomatic Measures

Lithuania plans to consult its allies over the threat posed from the balloons with possible discussions about implementing Nato's Article 4 - a provision enabling alliance discussion about national security issues, especially related to its security - the Prime Minister concluded.

Travel Impacts

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

Earlier this month, multiple aerial devices crossed into Lithuanian airspace, resulting in numerous canceled flights and passenger inconveniences, according to emergency management officials.

The phenomenon is not new: as of 6 October, numerous unauthorized objects tracked entering airspace from Belarus this year, according to official statements, with nearly thousand incidents during previous year.

European Context

Additional aviation facilities - including in Copenhagen and Munich - experienced similar aerial disruptions, including drone sightings, over past months.