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The Baltic nation plans to intercept and destroy balloons used to smuggle contraband tobacco across the border, the country's leader announced.

This decision follows after foreign objects crossing the border necessitated airport closures repeatedly in recent days, including at the weekend, with the government also closing frontier checkpoints during these events.

Border checkpoints will now be closed indefinitely following repeated balloon incursions.

The government leader stated, "authorities will not hesitate to employ the strictest possible measures during unauthorized aerial intrusions."

Official Measures

Announcing the actions at a press conference, the Prime Minister confirmed military forces were implementing "all necessary measures" to shoot down balloons.

Regarding frontier restrictions, Ruginiene said diplomats will still be able to travel for cross-border diplomatic missions, while European Union nationals and Lithuanian residents retain entry rights, but no other movement will be allowed.

"Through these actions, we communicate to the neighboring nation and saying that no hybrid attack will be tolerated within our territory, and we'll implement maximum countermeasures to halt these operations," she said.

Authorities received no prompt reaction from Belarus.

Diplomatic Measures

Authorities will discuss with international allies regarding the aerial device concerns with possible discussions about implementing Nato's Article 4 - a provision enabling alliance discussion regarding security matters, particularly involving territorial protection - she added.

Flight Cancellations

Lithuanian airports were closed three times at the weekend due to weather balloons originating from neighboring territory, impacting over hundred flights and thousands of travelers, according to Baltic News Service.

Earlier this month, multiple aerial devices crossed into Lithuanian airspace, leading to 30 flight cancellations affecting 6,000 passengers, per national security agency reports.

The phenomenon is not new: by autumn measurements, 544 balloons were recorded entering Lithuania from Belarus this year, an NCMC spokesman said, while 966 were recorded last year.

European Context

Other European airports - such as Scandinavian and German locations - have also been affected by air incursions, involving unmanned aerial vehicles, in recent weeks.