The Baltic state borders Russia via Kaliningrad. There are signs on site that indicate an impending attack. Vilnius is preparing for an emergency.
Vilnius – The Lithuanian government has long been worried about an invasion by Russian soldiers. Added to this is now the fear of being the Kremlin boss Vladimir Putin could about the Suwalki gap from Belarus to advance into the country. That is why the Baltic state, which also shares a short border with Russia via the Kaliningrad exclave, is further strengthening its border fortifications.
A statement from the Ministry of Defense of Lithuania said that another bridge crossing the Memel River, which leads to the Kaliningrad region, has been fortified. There is also now a tank barrier on the water crossing. “The fortifications will be supported by firepower when necessary to detain and destroy the enemy,” the Defense Ministry said.
Mines and anti-tank barriers placed: Lithuania begins defensive measures
A few weeks earlier, a bridge over the Memel, at the border crossing in Panemunė, mines and anti-tank barriers had already been placed. “This is a precautionary measure to ensure a more effective defense,” it said.
Lithuania’s fears are not unfounded: the symbol “Z” was already found on a Russian building on the other side of the Memel. The letter stands for Moscow’s war of aggression against Ukraine and is painted extensively on tanks there, for example. The Baltic states and Moldova in particular are worried about being the next possible target of Russian aggression.
Direct threat to national security: Russian war of aggression in Ukraine threatens several states
Like other states, Lithuania sees the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine as a direct threat to national security. The German one NATOThe partner country has therefore been arming itself for months. It was only announced at the end of September that Lithuania wanted to buy Leopard 2 main battle tanks for a newly formed division of its army.
The agreement could be signed in November after the National Security Council of the EU– and NATO country has made a final decision about the purchase, said Defense Minister Laurynas Kasciunas on Lithuanian television. Kasciunas did not provide any further information on how many tanks, in which variant, and at what cost would be purchased.
Vilnius also wants to set up a defense fund with donations from private individuals, companies and organizations. This is intended to increase military spending and also the infrastructure for stationing the Lithuania Brigade Bundeswehr will be financed, as the Ministry of Defense announced. (bg/dpa)
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