Lithuania to deploy troops on Kaliningrad border as threat level stays unchanged

Lithuania will send troops to help secure its border with Russia’s Kaliningrad region for a preliminary two weeks, Interior Minister Martynas Katelynas said Thursday. The threat level has not changed, he said, according to LRT.

Katelynas said the deployment was a preventive measure prompted by information from relevant agencies and a shortage of border guard personnel. He said the State Border Guard Service (VSAT) had faced threats on the borders with both Belarus and Russia.

The minister said authorities were preparing for the possibility that people seeking to avoid mobilisation in Russia might enter Lithuania and request asylum. He also referred to an incident in Latvia, saying that the use of migration as a tool was posing growing threats.

“We see tunnels and attempts to enter,” Katelynas said. He added that 43 migrants tried to enter Lithuanian territory in the south of the country last week, but the attempt was stopped. Border guard resources were limited, he said, and the service was under increasing pressure.

Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas said the plan was to deploy up to 100 troops to the border until October 16. The military said a company-sized unit would support the VSAT from October 8 for an initial two-week period, which could be extended if needed.

Troops will patrol areas around border posts alongside border guards. Mobile patrols, mobile observation posts and military police teams may also be used as needed, the Lithuanian Armed Forces said. Katelynas said there were currently no plans to deploy troops to the border with Belarus.