Vilnius
Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania are developing emergency action plans that include the evacuation of hundreds of thousands of people in the event of a Russian military buildup or attack. This is a response to Russia's massive military spending and its invasion of Ukraine.
Lithuania is lowering the level of physical protection for Belarusian opposition figure Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, transferring her protection to the Criminal Police Bureau. This decision, which came into force on October 1, was made based on a risk assessment and will allow for a review of security costs, which previously reached one million euros per year.
On Saturday evening, the airspace over Vilnius International Airport was restricted, likely due to spotted balloons. Flights are being diverted to alternate airfields in Kaunas, Riga, and Gdansk.
Russian special services allegedly planned a terrorist attack in Poland using cans of explosives disguised as canned corn. According to the Polish publication, a GRU courier was supposed to bury them in a cemetery near Łódź.
The Lithuanian prosecutor's office is demanding 4 years in prison for 18-year-old Ukrainian Danylo Bardadym in the case of arson at an Ikea store in Vilnius. He is accused of terrorism and possession of explosives, and the damage from the fire was estimated at 485,000 euros.
In Denmark, unidentified drones were spotted near military facilities overnight, following several drone incursions near airports and critical infrastructure. The Prime Minister called it "the most serious attack on Denmark's critical infrastructure to date."
Vilnius Airport suspended operations due to possible drone sightings, causing a delay for a LOT Polish Airlines flight. This is the second such incident today.
Lithuanian law enforcement agencies have uncovered a criminal group that planned terrorist attacks across Europe using postal services. The criminals sent homemade incendiary devices disguised as massage pillows and cosmetics.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that modern Russian missiles fly five times faster than sound. They can reach London or Madrid in a matter of minutes, which makes the idea of greater security in Western Europe erroneous.
Lithuania's designated Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene has stated Vilnius' unwavering stance on sanctions against Belarus. This comes after Belarus released 52 political prisoners and the US lifted sanctions on Belavia airline, which sparked discussions about possible pressure from Washington.
In the suburbs of Vilnius on September 10, wagons with liquefied gas caught fire, causing explosions and smoke over the city. One person was injured, the causes of the incident are being investigated.
Polish President Karol Navrotskyi in Vilnius expressed disagreements with Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda regarding Ukraine's integration into the EU. Navrotskyi holds a moderate position and previously blocked a bill on the rights of Ukrainian refugees.
Lithuania is expanding its air raid siren system to include alerts for dangerous drones entering the country's airspace. The new algorithm introduces red and yellow alert levels depending on the threat, informing the public via SMS, sirens, and other channels.
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda's plane was unable to land in Vilnius. The reason was information about an unknown drone in the airspace, which led to a landing delay.
At the extraordinary meeting of the Ukraine-NATO Council on September 1, the massive shelling of Ukrainian cities was condemned. Ukraine called on NATO to provide Patriot systems, long-range missiles, and invest in the defense industry.
More than 2,000 military personnel from five CSTO countries are taking part in exercises in Belarus. 450 units of equipment are involved, including aviation and drones.
Lithuania has installed concrete "Dragon's Teeth" barriers at unused border crossings with Russia and Belarus. This is part of the planned measures of the Baltic Defense Line, aimed at restricting the entry of military equipment.
Lithuania, a NATO member, has declared a no-fly zone near the capital Vilnius along the border with Belarus due to the threat from drones. This will allow the armed forces to respond to airspace violations.
Air traffic was temporarily suspended at Vilnius Airport due to the detection of a drone. It was later found that the drone belonged to a private security company.
Latvia, Finland, and Lithuania have banned or restricted real estate purchases by Russian citizens for national security reasons. Estonia, Norway, and the state of Texas are also considering similar measures.
On the night of July 29, an unknown unmanned aerial vehicle fell in Minsk after being affected by electronic warfare systems. Local residents report that the UAV crashed into a house, then fell onto a car and exploded.
Lithuanian police received dozens of reports about an unknown object in the air, likely a drone from Belarus, spotted near Vilnius. The version that it is a disoriented Ukrainian air defense drone is being considered, and searches are ongoing in central Lithuania.
The Head of the President's Office commented on the Russian shelling of Kyiv on July 28, stating that Putin responds with war to calls for negotiations. He also emphasized Russia's testing of NATO's reaction with drone flights in the airspace of the Baltic countries.
On July 28, an unknown drone crossed Lithuanian airspace from Belarus, spotted at an altitude of about 200 meters near Vilnius. Lithuanian media suggest it could have been a Russian "Gerbera" drone, similar to "Shahed", or a smuggler's UAV.
Lithuania officially notified the UN of its withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention on the Prohibition of Anti-Personnel Mines. This decision was made due to the perception of Russia as a long-term existential threat, with the aim of using all means to protect the population and territory of NATO.
NATO allies have agreed to tone down criticism of Russia in a statement to be signed by leaders, according to a leak to The Telegraph.
The Latvian Saeima approved a statement in support of Ukraine's earliest invitation to NATO ahead of the summit in The Hague. Inviting Ukraine to the Alliance will be a significant signal of its clear path to membership.
A brown bear roamed freely through Vilnius for two days, but hunters refused to follow the government's order to kill the animal, considering it non-aggressive.
Due to the ongoing war, young Ukrainian women are increasingly choosing universities abroad, particularly in Poland. They aim to avoid the stress of air raids and see better career opportunities outside of Ukraine.
Ukraine will not receive an invitation to NATO at the summit in The Hague next week. The issue is not on the agenda, no breakthrough decisions are expected.