Lithuania adds 268 Russian military personnel to Schengen blacklist

Lithuania has added 268 Russian military personnel involved in the war against Ukraine to the Schengen Information System’s blacklist, the Interior Ministry announced on Wednesday.

Interior Minister Vladislav Kondratovič said the security threats posed by former Russian combatants were “obvious” and required urgent action. “The consequences of inaction could be deeply painful,” he stated. “Lithuania maintains a firm position that this threat must receive the highest political attention. A coordinated response and broader involvement of EU member states are crucial.”

The move follows a joint letter sent on March 11 by Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Poland, Finland, Sweden, Germany, and Romania to the European Commission and European Council. The letter warned that Russia’s war against Ukraine continues to reshape Europe’s security landscape, with long-term implications for the EU and its citizens—particularly within the Schengen area.

Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys emphasised that individuals directly involved in Russia’s aggression are “war criminals,” including former Wagner Group mercenaries and convicted criminals recruited from prisons. “There is no place in Europe for killers who have contributed to aggression and terror against Ukraine,” he said.

Authorities noted a recent surge in Schengen visas issued to Russian citizens, urging swift and coordinated measures to prevent negative consequences. The European Commission was called upon to collaborate closely with the European External Action Service and other bodies to propose concrete EU-level solutions.

Estonia became the first EU country to blacklist over 1,000 Russian combatants involved in the war against Ukraine.