Lithuania uses food reserve supplies in mobilisation exercise for first time

Lithuania will use a small amount of its state food reserve to feed participants in the Vyčio skliautas 2026 mobilisation system exercise, LRT reported, citing BNS. The government approved the use of rapeseed oil, rice, wheat flour and buckwheat groats.

The approved amounts are 12 litres of oil, 12 kilograms each of rice and wheat flour, and 100 kilograms of buckwheat groats. The products will be used to prepare meals for participants in Lazdijai from October 1 to 3. Unused food is due to be returned to its custodians by October 7, while supplies used must be replenished by March 1 next year.

The Food Bank had requested ingredients for 44 hot meals, including vegetables, dairy products, canned food, meat and eggs. Its director, Simonas Gurevičius, said the foundation received the products on Wednesday morning, but only the four long-life items approved by the government came from the state reserve. The Agriculture Ministry arranged the other food supplies, while Lazdijai district municipality organised the purchase of other products.

Gurevičius said the exercise could also have tested the preparation of dry rations for situations when food cannot be heated. Organisers did not consider such rations necessary for this exercise, he said.

The Agriculture Ministry said the state reserve contains more types of long-life food than were requested for the exercise, but details of the reserve are classified.

The exercise in Lazdijai district will also include the Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union’s Tvirtas dzūkas 2026 training. Participants will practise protecting key municipal facilities, maintaining public order, setting up vehicle checkpoints and carrying out defensive operations. They will also conduct surveillance and reconnaissance, gather information, identify targets and evacuate wounded people.