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The Baltic nation plans to eliminate helium balloons carrying contraband tobacco across the border, government officials confirmed.

The measure comes after foreign objects crossing the border forced Vilnius Airport to close repeatedly in recent days, affecting holiday travel, with the government also closing frontier checkpoints during these events.

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

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

Official Measures

Detailing the measures during a briefing, officials stated defense units were executing "every required action" to intercept unauthorized devices.

Concerning border measures, Ruginiene said diplomats will still be able to travel for cross-border diplomatic missions, while European Union nationals and Lithuanian residents retain entry rights, but no other movement will be allowed.

"In this way, we are sending a signal to foreign authorities and saying that no hybrid attack will be tolerated here, and we will take all the strictest measures to stop such attacks," government officials declared.

There has been no immediate response from the neighboring government.

Diplomatic Measures

Authorities will discuss with international allies about the security challenges presented with possible discussions about implementing the NATO consultation clause - a request for consultation by a Nato member country regarding security matters, specifically concerning defense matters - officials noted.

Flight Cancellations

Aviation hubs faced multiple shutdowns over the weekend because of aerial devices crossing the international border, disrupting air transport and passenger movement, per transportation authority data.

Earlier this month, 25 balloons entered Lithuania from Belarus, causing dozens of flight disruptions impacting thousands, per national security agency reports.

This situation represents ongoing challenges: by autumn measurements, hundreds of aerial devices documented crossing borders from Belarus this year, an NCMC spokesman said, compared to higher numbers in prior period.

International Perspective

International air travel hubs - such as Scandinavian and German locations - have also been affected by air incursions, with unauthorized drone observations, during current period.