Lithuania Ramps Up Border Security as Russia-Belarus Drills Near

(MENAFN) Lithuania declared on Wednesday that it will intensify border security and deploy extra personnel as Russia and Belarus prepare for their joint Zapad military exercises scheduled for September.

Rustamas Liubajevas, commander of Lithuania’s State Border Guard Service (VSAT), told media that precautionary steps are underway ahead of the biennial drills.

“With the Zapad drills approaching, we have plans to strengthen (border security), deploy additional personnel to the external borders, and take certain actions in cooperation with other institutions, the Lithuanian military, and the police,” Liubajevas said.

He emphasized that border guards are ready for potential provocations.

“The plan for preparing for the exercises has been approved and is being successfully implemented. Lithuanian border guards are currently ready for any provocations at our border,” he added.

Since 2021, Lithuania’s border guards have maintained heightened security measures, with Liubajevas noting, “We haven’t had much opportunity or possibility to reduce our vigilance at our external borders.”

According to Lithuania’s Defense Ministry, this year’s Zapad drills will involve up to 30,000 troops — a significant drop from the roughly 200,000 soldiers who participated in the 2021 exercises, held just months before Russia launched its offensive in Ukraine.

Chief of Defense Raimundas Vaiksnoras told the Baltic News Service (BNS) that the armed forces will stay on high alert throughout August and September amid the military maneuvers.

The Zapad drills, conducted jointly by Russia and Belarus, have been a recurring event since 2009, with the exception of 2023.

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