Main image: NATALIA KOLESNIKOVA | AFP / SCANPIX
The Lithuanian Migration Department has classified 598 Belarusian and 125 Russian citizens as national security threats, according to Delfi.
As a result, these individuals were denied residence permits or extensions and were banned from entering the country.
In 2024, Lithuanian authorities refused temporary residence permits to 179 Belarusians and denied extensions to 232 others. Additionally, 175 Belarusian citizens had their previously issued documents revoked. Three Belarusians were denied permanent residence permits, and nine had them revoked.
Among Russian citizens, 35 were denied temporary residence permits, 36 could not extend their existing ones, and 24 had them revoked. For the first time, Lithuania refused permanent residence to 16 Russians, all of whom are now banned from entering the country.
Meanwhile, Lithuania is actively preparing to defend itself against a potential Russian attack. The government plans to mine bridges on the border with Russia and install concrete barriers to prevent the advance of Russian tanks. These measures are part of a broader strategy to strengthen the defense of the Baltic region.
