Lithuania expels three Ukrainians over hostile intelligence tasks

Three Ukrainian citizens who carried out tasks for hostile foreign intelligence services have left Lithuania, the State Security Department (VSD) said Thursday, according to LRT. The department said the decision to remove them was made before they caused any actual harm to the state.

Asked by BNS why no pre-trial investigation had been opened, the VSD said it had examined the individuals’ activities and gathered information indicating that they posed a threat to national security. The department said a measure provided for by law had been used to address the risks before any harm was done.

The VSD said the individuals’ residence permits were revoked. Lithuania’s Migration Department confirmed they had left the country, but the VSD said it did not know where they went.

BNS previously reported that the three Ukrainians were declared threats to national security, had their temporary residence permits revoked and were barred from returning to Lithuania for five years.

According to the VSD, they carried out various tasks for payment on behalf of hostile intelligence services. The tasks were assigned through Telegram and other messaging platforms. The department warned that hostile states’ services often use such platforms to recruit people and leave those carrying out the tasks to bear the associated risks.