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Authorities have decided to eliminate aerial devices transporting contraband tobacco across the border, its prime minister has warned.

This decision follows after balloons entering Lithuanian airspace forced Vilnius Airport to close repeatedly in recent days, with weekend disruptions, while authorities suspended Belarus border crossings temporarily each time.

Border checkpoints will now be closed indefinitely due to the ongoing aerial incidents.

Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene said, "we are ready to take maximum response protocols when our airspace is violated."

National Security Actions

Detailing the measures during a briefing, the Prime Minister confirmed military forces were implementing "every required action" to shoot down balloons.

About the border closure, officials noted embassy personnel maintain access between the two countries, and EU citizens and Lithuanians can enter from Belarus, but no other movement will be allowed.

"In this way, we are sending a signal to the neighboring nation declaring that unconventional threats won't be accepted across our nation, employing comprehensive defensive actions to halt these operations," she said.

Official communications saw no quick answer from Minsk officials.

International Consultation

Authorities will discuss with international allies regarding the aerial device concerns while potentially considering invocation of the NATO consultation clause - a provision enabling alliance discussion on any issue of concern, especially related to its security - the Prime Minister concluded.

Airport Disruptions

Aviation hubs faced multiple shutdowns during holiday periods from balloon incidents crossing the international border, disrupting air transport and passenger movement, per transportation authority data.

During the current month, multiple aerial devices crossed into Lithuanian airspace, causing dozens of flight disruptions impacting thousands, Lithuania's National Crisis Management Centre told the BBC.

These incidents continue previous patterns: through early October, numerous unauthorized objects tracked entering airspace across the frontier in recent months, per government spokesperson comments, while 966 were recorded last year.

European Context

Additional aviation facilities - covering northern and central European sites - have also been affected by air incursions, involving unmanned aerial vehicles, in recent weeks.