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Lithuania will begin to shoot down balloons used to smuggle contraband tobacco across the border, its prime minister has warned.

The measure comes after balloons entering Lithuanian airspace forced Vilnius Airport to close on several occasions recently, affecting holiday travel, while authorities suspended cross-border movement during each incident.

Frontier crossing points remain suspended indefinitely in response to the helium weather balloons.

Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene said, "we are ready to take even the most severe actions when our airspace is violated."

Government Response

Announcing the actions at a press conference, Ruginiene said the army was taking "every required action" to eliminate aerial threats.

Concerning border measures, officials noted embassy personnel maintain access 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 the neighboring nation declaring that unconventional threats won't be accepted within our territory, and we'll implement maximum countermeasures to halt these operations," the Prime Minister emphasized.

There has been no immediate response from Minsk officials.

Alliance Coordination

Lithuania plans to consult its allies over the threat posed from the balloons with possible discussions about implementing the alliance's consultation mechanism - a request for consultation by a Nato member country regarding security matters, particularly involving territorial protection - she added.

Airport Disruptions

Aviation hubs faced multiple shutdowns over the weekend because of aerial devices originating from neighboring territory, impacting over hundred flights and thousands of travelers, per transportation authority data.

Earlier this month, 25 balloons entered Lithuania from Belarus, causing dozens of flight disruptions impacting thousands, Lithuania's National Crisis Management Centre told the BBC.

The phenomenon is not new: through early October, numerous unauthorized objects tracked entering airspace from Belarus this year, per government spokesperson comments, while 966 were recorded last year.

Regional Situation

International air travel hubs - including in Copenhagen and Munich - have also been affected by air incursions, involving unmanned aerial vehicles, in recent weeks.