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Authorities have decided to eliminate aerial devices transporting illicit goods from Belarus, the country's leader announced.

The measure comes after foreign objects crossing the border forced Vilnius Airport to close multiple times over the past week, with weekend disruptions, accompanied by temporary closures of cross-border movement during each incident.

Frontier crossing points remain suspended indefinitely due to the ongoing aerial incidents.

According to official declarations, "we are ready to take the strictest possible measures against airspace violations."

National Security Actions

Detailing the measures during a briefing, Ruginiene said the army was taking "all necessary measures" to shoot down balloons.

About the border closure, 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.

"Through these actions, we communicate to Belarus declaring that unconventional threats won't be accepted within our territory, and we'll implement maximum countermeasures to prevent similar incidents," she said.

Authorities received no prompt reaction from the neighboring government.

International Consultation

Lithuania plans to consult its allies about the security challenges presented with possible discussions about implementing Nato's Article 4 - a provision enabling alliance discussion about national security issues, specifically concerning defense matters - officials noted.

Travel Impacts

Aviation hubs faced multiple shutdowns during holiday periods from balloon incidents crossing the international border, impacting over hundred flights and thousands of travelers, according to Baltic News Service.

Earlier this month, 25 balloons entered Lithuania from Belarus, resulting in numerous canceled flights and passenger inconveniences, per national security agency reports.

The phenomenon is not new: through early October, numerous unauthorized objects tracked entering airspace from neighboring territory during current year, an NCMC spokesman said, with nearly thousand incidents during previous year.

Regional Situation

Additional aviation facilities - including in Copenhagen and Munich - faced comparable aviation security challenges, including drone sightings, during current period.