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Lithuania will begin to eliminate balloons used to smuggle cigarettes from neighbouring Belarus, the country's leader announced.

The measure comes after foreign objects crossing the border necessitated airport closures on several occasions recently, affecting holiday travel, accompanied by temporary closures of frontier checkpoints during these events.

International border access continues restricted following repeated balloon incursions.

Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene said, "our nation stands prepared to implement maximum response protocols during unauthorized aerial intrusions."

Official Measures

Outlining the strategy to media, the Prime Minister confirmed military forces were implementing "complete operational protocols" to eliminate aerial threats.

About the border closure, the Prime Minister confirmed diplomatic movement continues across the international border, while European Union nationals and Lithuanian residents retain entry rights, however general movement continues suspended.

"Through these actions, we communicate to foreign authorities and saying that no hybrid attack will be tolerated here, and we will take all the strictest measures to halt these operations," the Prime Minister emphasized.

Official communications saw no quick answer from the neighboring government.

Diplomatic Measures

Authorities will discuss with international allies about the security challenges presented with possible discussions about implementing Nato's Article 4 - a protocol allowing member state consultation regarding security matters, particularly involving territorial protection - she added.

Travel Impacts

National air facilities experienced triple closures during holiday periods from balloon incidents originating from neighboring territory, impacting over hundred flights and thousands of travelers, based on regional media reports.

Earlier this month, several unauthorized objects traversed the border, resulting in numerous canceled flights and passenger inconveniences, per national security agency reports.

These incidents continue previous patterns: by autumn measurements, 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 - such as Scandinavian and German locations - faced comparable aviation security challenges, involving unmanned aerial vehicles, over past months.