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Authorities have decided to intercept and destroy aerial devices transporting illicit goods from Belarus, the country's leader announced.

This decision follows after unauthorized aerial incursions disrupted air traffic repeatedly in recent days, affecting holiday travel, with the government also closing Belarus border crossings temporarily each time.

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

Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene said, "our nation stands prepared to implement the strictest possible measures against airspace violations."

Official Measures

Outlining the strategy to media, officials stated defense units were executing "complete operational protocols" to eliminate aerial threats.

Regarding frontier restrictions, Ruginiene said diplomats will still be able to travel between the two countries, while European Union nationals and Lithuanian residents retain entry rights, but no other movement will be allowed.

"In this way, we are sending a signal to the neighboring nation and saying that no hybrid attack will be tolerated across our nation, employing comprehensive defensive actions to prevent similar incidents," the Prime Minister emphasized.

Official communications saw no quick answer from the neighboring government.

Alliance Coordination

The Baltic nation intends to coordinate with partners regarding the aerial device concerns with possible discussions about implementing Nato's Article 4 - a request for consultation by a Nato member country on any issue of concern, specifically concerning defense matters - the Prime Minister concluded.

Flight Cancellations

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

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

This situation represents ongoing challenges: by autumn measurements, hundreds of aerial devices documented crossing borders across the frontier in recent months, an NCMC spokesman said, with nearly thousand incidents during previous year.

European Context

Other European airports - covering northern and central European sites - faced comparable aviation security challenges, with unauthorized drone observations, in recent weeks.