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Lithuania will begin to eliminate aerial devices transporting contraband tobacco across the border, the country's leader announced.

This action responds after unauthorized aerial incursions forced Vilnius Airport to close multiple times over the past week, with weekend disruptions, with the government also closing Belarus border crossings temporarily each time.

Border checkpoints will now be closed indefinitely in response to the helium weather balloons.

According to official declarations, "authorities will not hesitate to employ even the most severe actions when our airspace is violated."

Official Measures

Outlining the strategy to media, officials stated defense units were executing "every required action" to eliminate aerial threats.

Regarding frontier restrictions, officials noted embassy personnel maintain access between the two countries, with special provisions for EU and Lithuanian nationals, though all other travel remains prohibited.

"Through these actions, we communicate to Belarus and saying that no hybrid attack will be tolerated within our territory, and we'll implement maximum countermeasures to halt these operations," the Prime Minister emphasized.

There has been no immediate response from the neighboring government.

International Consultation

Authorities will discuss with international allies regarding the aerial device concerns with possible discussions about implementing the NATO consultation clause - a protocol allowing member state consultation about national security issues, especially related to its security - the Prime Minister concluded.

Travel Impacts

National air facilities experienced triple closures at the weekend due to weather balloons originating from neighboring territory, impacting over hundred flights and thousands of travelers, based on regional media reports.

During the current month, multiple aerial devices crossed into Lithuanian airspace, causing dozens of flight disruptions impacting thousands, according to emergency management officials.

The phenomenon is not new: through early October, hundreds of aerial devices documented crossing borders across the frontier in recent months, an NCMC spokesman said, with nearly thousand incidents during previous year.

International Perspective

Additional aviation facilities - covering northern and central European sites - have also been affected by air incursions, involving unmanned aerial vehicles, during current period.