On Monday, Lithuanian border guards will unveil a new helicopter to be used for escorting Russian trains transiting the country between Belarus and the Kaliningrad exclave on the Baltic coast.
"This helicopter will help strengthen surveillance of trains travelling to and from Kaliningrad Region," Interior Minister Vladislav Kondratovič said in a press release.
Beate Gminder, acting director-general for migration and home affairs at the European Commission, is expected to attend the helicopter presentation event at the State Border Guard Service's Aviation Base in Paluknys, in Trakai District Municipality.
Gminder will also meet with Kondratovič in Vilnius.
"We are now focusing on two priorities: improving the management of our national and EU external borders, and implementing the Migration and Asylum Pact," Kondratovič said in a comment forwarded to BNS.
The European Commission has allocated 25 million euros to help ensure the security of the Special Transit Scheme, which allows Russia to send cargo and passenger trains via Lithuania.
The State Border Guard Service (VSAT) said it used the funds to purchase a modern helicopter, other vehicles, and specialised equipment aimed at improving the management of security risks associated with the scheme.
The H145 is the second helicopter of this type delivered this year and cost 11 million euros. The first one arrived in early March and the third should be delivered by July. They were purchased by VSAT in 2023.
According to Rustamas Liubajevas, head of VSAT, the helicopter will accompany trains from their entry into the territory of Lithuania until their departure. The other two aircraft will be used for border protection, as well as for search and rescue and organ transplant operations.
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