Lithuania will use aviation to escort Russian transit trains passing through its territory between Belarus and the Kaliningrad region, reports LRT.
On Monday, border guards will present a new helicopter that will be deployed to monitor these trains. Interior Minister Vladislavas Kondratovičius stated that the air patrol will help strengthen control over routes to and from Kaliningrad.
The presentation will take place at the aviation base of the State Border Guard Service in Paluknys, located in the Trakai district. The event will also be attended by Beate Gminder, acting Director-General for Migration and Home Affairs at the European Commission. A meeting between her and Kondratovičius is also planned in Vilnius.
The Minister emphasized that improving border management and implementing the Migration and Asylum Pact are current priorities for both Lithuania and the European Union.
To ensure the security of the Special Transit Scheme, which allows Russia to send trains through Lithuania, the European Commission has allocated €25 million. According to the State Border Guard Service, this funding was used to purchase a modern helicopter, other vehicles, and specialized equipment aimed at enhancing security during the transit.
It is worth noting that Lithuania has been actively preparing to defend against a potential Russian attack. The country’s authorities plan to mine bridges on the Russian border and install concrete barriers to prevent the advance of Russian tanks. These measures are part of a broader plan to strengthen the defense of the Baltic region.
