Lithuania deploys up to 30 soldiers to protect strategic sites, will assist public security service

Lithuania’s military will deploy up to 30 soldiers to guard strategic infrastructure, with the unit set to assist the Public Security Service (VST) from Thursday until July 18, defence officials announced.

According to an order from Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas, the troops—equipped with necessary transport and resources—will help secure the Klaipėda liquefied natural gas terminal, the LitPol Link interconnection substation with Poland, a transformer substation in Alytus district, the Kruonis pumped-storage hydroelectric plant, and the Klaipėda liquid energy products terminal.

The Defence Ministry noted that Russia has recently spread unfounded claims that Baltic states allow their airspace or territory to be used by other countries for actions against Russia. This escalating rhetoric, the ministry said, aims to distract from battlefield failures and undermine allies’ resolve to continue supporting Ukraine.

Officials did not rule out that Russia may stage provocations against Baltic infrastructure to heighten regional tensions.