The British government announced on Monday that the country would send “small numbers” of troops to Lithuania amid tensions in the region over an increase in Russian troops near Ukraine.
“In the spirit of solidarity, the UK will send a small number of military personnel to support Lithuania with intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance,” Britain's Ministry of Defence tweeted. “This deployment will help enhance Lithuania’s ability to address pressures along its border with Belarus.”
The UK and Lithuania share concerns about the deployment of Russian troops on the border with Ukraine and the current migration crisis on the border between Lithuania and Belarus, said British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, justifying the deployment.
🇬🇧🇱🇹In the spirit of solidarity, the UK will send a small number of military personnel to support Lithuania with intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.
— Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) February 14, 2022
This deployment will help enhance Lithuania’s ability to address pressures along its border with Belarus. pic.twitter.com/Gu4ysloIEy
Meanwhile, German reinforcements began arriving in Lithuania on Monday. Germany leads the 1,200-strong eFP battlegroup in Lithuania and currently has around 500 soldiers stationed there
With more than 100,000 Russian troops concentrated on the Ukrainian border, there are fears that Moscow may engage in aggression against the neighbouring country.
Norway chipping in
Norway is sending additional troops to Lithuania to reinforce NATO's multi-national battalion, the Lithuanian Defence Ministry said on Tuesday.
A mechanised infantry squad with additional support elements, around 60 troops in total, are to arrive in Rukla, in central Lithuania, where the battalion is stationed.
“We are grateful to Norway for its significant contribution to regional security,” Defence Minister Arvydas Anušauskas said in a press release.
“The current security situation calls for an additional response, and Norway's decision to send additional troops to Lithuania is very important and necessary,” he said.
Reinforcing NATO's enhanced Forward Present Battle Group in Lithuania is key to effective deterrence, according to the minister.
Around 140 troops with Leopard 2 A4 tanks and CV9030 Mk infantry fighting vehicles and support elements are currently stationed in Lithuania as part of the German-led battalion.
Norway is joining other NATO allies that have decided to boost their contingents in Lithuania after Russia amassed tens of thousands of troops on its border with Ukraine.
Germany is deploying an additional 350 soldiers to Lithuania, while Denmark has beefed up NATO's Baltic air policing mission.
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