Lithuanian PM calls for shelters to remain open 24/7 after drone threat exposes gaps

Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė has instructed municipalities to ensure public shelters remain accessible around the clock, following a drone incursion from Belarus that left some residents unable to find refuge, LRT.lt reports.

On Wednesday, a red alert was declared in the Vilnius region after a drone entered Lithuanian airspace from Belarus, prompting authorities to urge residents to seek shelter. However, some bomb shelters were locked, while others had been repurposed or cleaned out, leaving people with nowhere to go.

Albertas Daugirdas, a reserve major and lecturer at the Civic Education Academy, acknowledged that emergency response systems functioned well overall but highlighted critical shortcomings. “Some schools didn’t know how to react—this ignorance is unacceptable,” he said, noting that while 12 hours is the standard preparation time for shelters, drone threats demand faster action.

Daugirdas criticised the lack of crisis training in schools, calling their unpreparedness “dangerous behaviour,” though he praised the retail sector for promptly evacuating and closing stores. He also stressed the need for clearer public communication, suggesting pre-recorded emergency broadcasts and real-time official commentary to prevent overreactions.

While keeping shelters open continuously is impractical, Daugirdas urged assigning personnel to unlock them swiftly during threats. “Bureaucracy is the issue here—we stick to 12-hour rules while threats evolve faster,” he said, calling for systemic improvements rather than blaming individuals.

The incident has reignited debates over Lithuania’s civil defence readiness as drone incursions from Belarus increase. Municipalities now face pressure to balance security protocols with practical accessibility.