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Authorities have decided to eliminate balloons used to smuggle cigarettes from neighbouring Belarus, the country's leader announced.

This decision follows after foreign objects crossing the border disrupted air traffic multiple times over the past week, including at the weekend, accompanied by temporary closures of frontier checkpoints during these events.

International border access continues restricted due to the ongoing aerial incidents.

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

National Security Actions

Detailing the measures during a briefing, officials stated defense units were executing "all necessary measures" to shoot down balloons.

Regarding frontier restrictions, officials noted embassy personnel maintain access for cross-border diplomatic missions, with special provisions for EU and Lithuanian nationals, however general movement continues suspended.

"This represents our clear message to the neighboring nation stating that asymmetric operations face opposition within our territory, and we'll implement maximum countermeasures to stop such attacks," government officials declared.

There has been no immediate response from the neighboring government.

Alliance Coordination

Authorities will discuss with international allies about the security challenges presented and may discuss activating the NATO consultation clause - a request for consultation by a Nato member country about national security issues, especially related to its security - the Prime Minister concluded.

Flight Cancellations

Lithuanian airports were closed three times over the weekend because of aerial devices originating from neighboring territory, impacting over hundred flights and thousands of travelers, according to Baltic News Service.

During the current month, 25 balloons entered Lithuania from Belarus, causing dozens of flight disruptions impacting thousands, Lithuania's National Crisis Management Centre told the BBC.

These incidents continue previous patterns: through early October, hundreds of aerial devices documented crossing borders from neighboring territory during current year, per government spokesperson comments, with nearly thousand incidents during previous year.

International Perspective

Additional aviation facilities - such as Scandinavian and German locations - faced comparable aviation security challenges, including drone sightings, over past months.