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Lithuania will begin to shoot down aerial devices transporting cigarettes from neighbouring Belarus, government officials confirmed.

This action responds after balloons entering Lithuanian airspace necessitated airport closures multiple times over the past week, with weekend disruptions, accompanied by temporary closures of cross-border movement during each incident.

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

Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene said, "our nation stands prepared to implement maximum response protocols when our airspace is violated."

National Security Actions

Announcing the actions at a press conference, officials stated defense units were executing "every required action" to eliminate aerial threats.

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.

"Through these actions, we communicate to foreign authorities stating that asymmetric operations face opposition across our nation, employing comprehensive defensive actions to stop such attacks," government officials declared.

Authorities received no prompt reaction from Belarus.

Alliance Coordination

The Baltic nation intends to coordinate with partners regarding the aerial device concerns with possible discussions about implementing the alliance's consultation mechanism - a protocol allowing member state consultation about national security issues, specifically concerning defense matters - the Prime Minister concluded.

Travel Impacts

Lithuanian airports were closed three times over the weekend because of aerial devices from Belarus, disrupting air transport and passenger movement, according to Baltic News Service.

Earlier this month, several unauthorized objects traversed the border, leading to 30 flight cancellations affecting 6,000 passengers, per national security agency reports.

These incidents continue previous patterns: as of 6 October, hundreds of aerial devices documented crossing borders from neighboring territory during current year, according to official statements, compared to higher numbers in prior period.

International Perspective

Additional aviation facilities - including in Copenhagen and Munich - faced comparable aviation security challenges, involving unmanned aerial vehicles, over past months.