Minister says Ukrainians were paid to film sites and conduct interviews

Three Ukrainian citizens deemed a threat to national security were hired to film certain sites and interview people in Lithuania, Interior Minister Martynas Katelynas said, according to LRT.

“They were paid to carry out assigned tasks, such as filming certain things and interviewing certain people,” Katelynas told reporters in the Seimas on Thursday. He said he could not provide further details, adding that only the State Security Department (VSD) could do so.

Katelynas said the VSD decided to expel the three rather than pursue criminal prosecution. Two have already been expelled, while the third is expected to be deported by November 13.

The three had their temporary residence permits revoked and were banned from returning to Lithuania for five years. According to intelligence information, they carried out various tasks for hostile intelligence services in return for payment, receiving instructions through Telegram and other messaging platforms.

The VSD said it chose expulsion over prosecution because the individuals had caused no harm to the state.