Kaunas Riflemen’s Union building briefly evacuated over suspected explosive device

A suspected explosive device found in the basement of the Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union (LŠS) building in Kaunas prompted a brief evacuation and activation of emergency plan Skydas on Wednesday, LRT reports.

Kaunas police confirmed receiving a report at 11:08 AM that a potential explosive—possibly an artillery shell—had been discovered while clearing the basement. Authorities evacuated personnel and cordoned off the area while bomb disposal specialists from the Aras unit responded.

The Skydas emergency protocol was lifted at 1:40 PM after the suspicious object was removed for safe disposal. Preliminary assessments suggest it may have been an old artillery projectile, according to police spokesperson Odeta Vaitkevičienė.

Aušra Garnienė, a representative for the Riflemen’s Union, stated that workers immediately alerted emergency services upon discovering the item. Firefighters, paramedics, and police arrived at the scene on Laisvės Avenue, with Aras demining experts later securing the object.

The building, a historic site linked to Lithuania’s voluntary defence organisation, was temporarily closed during the operation.