Lithuanian municipalities discuss electronic locks for bomb shelters

Local government leaders in Lithuania are considering installing electronic locks in public bomb shelters to ensure 24/7 access without constant supervision, the state news agency ELTA reported on Sunday.

Audrius Klišonis, president of the Lithuanian Municipalities Association (LSA), stated that keeping shelters permanently staffed would be impractical, while leaving them unlocked could risk theft. Electronic systems could automatically grant access to residents while addressing both concerns.

“Bomb shelters must be usable here and now,” Klišonis told ELTA. “A better solution would be an automated unlocking system rather than keeping someone on duty all day.” He noted that existing key-based solutions—similar to those used by rental housing platforms—could also be adapted.

The discussion follows incidents during last week’s air raid alerts, when some shelters in the Kaunas region remained locked despite potential drone threats. Klišonis warned that unsupervised shelters risk theft, citing reports from Ukrainian colleagues about looted supplies.

Implementation of electronic locks across all municipalities could take “a few months,” he estimated, provided the procurement process avoids bureaucratic delays.

To expand shelter networks in cities, Klišonis also proposed tax incentives for businesses that install shelters in their facilities. “For a shopping center without shelters, retrofitting is extremely costly,” he said. “Tax relief—even temporary exemptions from property taxes—could encourage private investment.”

The Interior Ministry reminded residents that the Fire Protection and Rescue Department’s hotline (1856) operates 24/7 for civil defense guidance. The line supports individuals, schools, and businesses in preparing for emergencies.

Lithuania declared its first-ever air raid alerts last week in Utena and Vilnius regions after suspected drone incursions. Under the “yellow” alert level, residents must locate nearby shelters; “red” indicates an immediate threat requiring compliance with official instructions.