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The Baltic nation plans to intercept and destroy aerial devices transporting cigarettes from neighbouring Belarus, its prime minister has warned.

The measure comes after foreign objects crossing the border disrupted air traffic multiple times over the past week, affecting holiday travel, accompanied by temporary closures of Belarus border crossings temporarily each time.

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

According to official declarations, "our nation stands prepared to implement maximum response protocols against airspace violations."

National Security Actions

Announcing the actions at a press conference, officials stated defense units were executing "complete operational protocols" to intercept unauthorized devices.

Concerning border measures, Ruginiene said diplomats will still be able to travel across the international border, with special provisions for EU and Lithuanian nationals, but no other movement will be allowed.

"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 stop such attacks," she said.

Authorities received no prompt reaction from Belarus.

Diplomatic Measures

Lithuania plans to consult its allies regarding the aerial device concerns and may discuss activating the alliance's consultation mechanism - a provision enabling alliance discussion on any issue of concern, especially related to its security - the Prime Minister concluded.

Flight Cancellations

Aviation hubs faced multiple shutdowns over the weekend because of aerial devices crossing the international border, impacting over hundred flights and thousands of travelers, based on regional media reports.

In recent weeks, multiple aerial devices crossed into Lithuanian airspace, leading to 30 flight cancellations affecting 6,000 passengers, per national security agency reports.

This situation represents ongoing challenges: by autumn measurements, hundreds of aerial devices documented crossing borders from neighboring territory during current year, per government spokesperson comments, while 966 were recorded last year.

Regional Situation

Other European airports - including in Copenhagen and Munich - have also been affected by air incursions, including drone sightings, over past months.