Lithuania ready to fight back and ready with evacuation plans
Lithuanian PM states the country will fight back against potential Russian attacks, alongside evacuation plans and reinforced NATO troops.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Lithuania declares readiness to fight back if attacked by Russia amid security tensions.
- NATO maintains over 5,000 troops in Lithuania, with Germany deploying a permanent brigade of 5,000 personnel by 2027.
- The country has faced multiple hybrid attacks and drone incursions linked to neighboring Belarus.
Amid escalating security tensions across Europe, Lithuania—a NATO member sharing a land border with the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad—has firmly declared its readiness to fight back if attacked by Russia, alongside comprehensive preparations for civilian evacuation plans.
The heightened concerns follow an incident last week where NATO fighter pilots intercepted and shot down a drone that violated Lithuanian airspace. Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas stated to Newshour that the drone originated from the direction of Belarus, a close ally of Russia.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Lithuania has experienced numerous incidents over the past year categorized as hybrid attacks, with officials pointing the finger at neighboring Belarus. Meanwhile, Deividas Matulionis, the president's chief adviser, noted that it remained unclear whether objects detected on Tuesday were actual balloons.
The Baltic region, particularly the narrow strip between Lithuania, Poland, and Belarus known as the Suwałki Gap, represents one of Europe's most sensitive strategic chokepoints. In the event of a conflict, securing this area is vital to prevent the Baltic states from being isolated from central European NATO allies, making Germany's permanent troop deployment a crucial deterrent under Article 5.
As a response to Europe's shifting security landscape, fellow NATO ally Germany pledged back in 2023 to permanently station a combat-ready brigade in Lithuania. Expected to be fully operational by 2027, the deployment will comprise roughly 5,000 soldiers and civilian personnel, with the majority based in Rūdninkai near the strategic Suwałki Gap.
UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting praised the collaborative defense efforts, stating:
"Thanks to the swift and professional actions of Lithuanian and Italian forces, Nato once again demonstrated our readiness to protect our airspace. We stand united, around the clock, in defence of every inch of Nato territory."
Wes Streeting, UK Defence Secretary
Military drone incursions have surged across Europe since the onset of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, prompting heightened vigilance in Baltic nations. Lithuania, Estonia, and Latvia all joined NATO in 2004, binding themselves to the Article 5 mutual defense provision which dictates that an armed attack against one member is considered an attack against all.
Source: BBC World
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