Lithuanian citizen suspected of spying for Russia

Vilnius Regional Prosecutor’s Office has launched a pre-trial investigation into espionage, with a Lithuanian citizen formally accused of the crime, the Prosecutor General’s Office announced on Friday.

The probe began after the State Security Department (VSD) uncovered information during an intelligence operation about an individual allegedly gathering information using methods employed by Russian intelligence and security services (RF ŽST).

Preliminary findings suggest the suspect, using the messaging app Telegram, initiated contact and carried out tasks assigned by RF ŽST intermediaries. These tasks involved collecting data on military-purpose facilities in Lithuania, military units, and the movement of military equipment.

Court-sanctioned measures revealed that the suspect may have photographed and shared information about a Lithuanian military battalion, a company producing military radars and radiolocation systems, and military equipment movements at Vilnius Airport. The suspect also allegedly transmitted images of military hardware and offered to provide further information while visiting Belgium.

Investigators believe the suspect acted deliberately to assist a foreign state, knowing the collected information was being passed to an individual possibly representing Russia’s Ministry of Defence.

Under Article 119, Part 2 of the Criminal Code, espionage—defined as collecting or transmitting state or service secrets or other information of interest to foreign intelligence at the behest of a foreign state, its organisation, or representative—carries a penalty of six to 15 years in prison.

The VSD warned against falling for provocations or engaging in hostile activities by foreign states against Lithuania, noting that Russian and Belarusian intelligence services actively use social networks to recruit, train, and maintain contact with potential agents.