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The Baltic nation plans to eliminate helium balloons carrying contraband tobacco across the border, government officials confirmed.

This decision follows after foreign objects crossing the border necessitated airport closures on several occasions recently, affecting holiday travel, while authorities suspended cross-border movement during each incident.

International border access continues restricted following repeated balloon incursions.

Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene said, "authorities will not hesitate to employ the strictest possible measures when our airspace is violated."

Official Measures

Outlining the strategy to media, officials stated defense units were executing "all necessary measures" to eliminate aerial threats.

Concerning border measures, officials noted embassy personnel maintain access across the international border, and EU citizens and Lithuanians can enter from Belarus, but no other movement will be allowed.

"Through these actions, we communicate to foreign authorities stating that asymmetric operations face opposition here, and we will take all the strictest measures to stop such attacks," she said.

Authorities received no prompt reaction from Minsk officials.

Alliance Coordination

Authorities will discuss with international allies regarding the aerial device concerns while potentially considering invocation of the alliance's consultation mechanism - a request for consultation by a Nato member country regarding security matters, particularly involving territorial protection - she added.

Airport Disruptions

National air facilities experienced triple closures over the weekend because of aerial devices crossing the international border, impacting over hundred flights and thousands of travelers, according to Baltic News Service.

Earlier this month, several unauthorized objects traversed the border, resulting in numerous canceled flights and passenger inconveniences, Lithuania's National Crisis Management Centre told the BBC.

The phenomenon is not new: through early October, numerous unauthorized objects tracked entering airspace from neighboring territory during current year, according to official statements, with nearly thousand incidents during previous year.

European Context

International air travel hubs - such as Scandinavian and German locations - experienced similar aerial disruptions, involving unmanned aerial vehicles, over past months.