🔗 Share this article

Authorities have decided to eliminate helium balloons carrying contraband tobacco across the border, its prime minister has warned.

This decision follows after foreign objects crossing the border disrupted air traffic multiple times over the past week, including at the weekend, while authorities suspended frontier checkpoints during these events.

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

According to official declarations, "we are ready to take even the most severe actions during unauthorized aerial intrusions."

Official Measures

Outlining the strategy to media, Ruginiene said the army was taking "every required action" to intercept unauthorized devices.

About the border closure, the Prime Minister confirmed diplomatic movement continues for cross-border diplomatic missions, 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 stop such attacks," she said.

Authorities received no prompt reaction from Minsk officials.

International Consultation

Lithuania plans to consult its allies over the threat posed from the balloons with possible discussions about implementing the NATO consultation clause - a protocol allowing member state consultation on any issue of concern, especially related to its security - she added.

Flight Cancellations

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

During the current month, multiple aerial devices crossed into Lithuanian airspace, resulting in numerous canceled flights and passenger inconveniences, Lithuania's National Crisis Management Centre told the BBC.

These incidents continue previous patterns: through early October, 544 balloons were recorded entering Lithuania across the frontier in recent months, an NCMC spokesman said, while 966 were recorded last year.

International Perspective

Other European airports - such as Scandinavian and German locations - have also been affected by air incursions, involving unmanned aerial vehicles, during current period.