Lithuania has procured and deployed anti-tank obstacles, “dragon’s teeth,” and other defensive equipment to its borders with Russia and Belarus. Defense Minister Laurynas Kasčiūnas reported that the country purchased these mobility control measures from domestic producers for €4 million. The equipment is being distributed to 27 locations along the border.
The first storage site for these defensive tools is set to open on August 22, with additional sites planned. The barriers will be quickly dispatched for installation if needed. In September, Lithuania will begin constructing fortifications along its border with the Kaliningrad region and Belarus.
In early July, Vilnius Mayor Valdas Benkunskas presented a war defense plan for the Lithuanian capital, which includes an evacuation plan. “We are preparing a defense plan for the city, but it is important to have evacuation plans as well,” he explained. If an evacuation is required, it must be completed within 1.5 days, organized in six directions. The city is analyzing road capacity during peak hours and considering the impact of bridges and other infrastructure.
By the end of July, Lithuanian authorities began developing a comprehensive evacuation plan for the entire country in case of a military invasion. Interior Minister Agnė Bilotaitė discussed these measures with representatives from the Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Communications, and the National Crisis Management Center. The ministries have agreed on their responsibilities and tasks, and municipalities are expected to provide data on capabilities and needs.
In late June, leaders from Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia proposed to the European Union the construction of a defensive line along the borders with Russia and Belarus. This initiative aims to protect European countries from military threats and other “harmful actions” from Moscow. The defensive infrastructure is expected to address hybrid threats such as disinformation, cyberattacks, economic pressure, and attempts to create a migration crisis.
