Lithuanian border guards will step up border security and deploy additional forces as Russia and Belarus gear up for joint army drills in September, Rustamas Liubajevas, the commander of the State Border Guard Service (VSAT), says.
“With the Zapad drills approaching, we have plans to strengthen [border security], deploy additional personnel to the external borders, and take certain actions in cooperation with other institutions, the Lithuanian military, and the police,” Liubajevas told LRT RADIO on Wednesday.
“The plan for preparing for the exercises has been approved and is being successfully implemented. Lithuanian border guards are currently ready for any provocations at our border,” he said.
According to Liubajevas, Lithuanian border guards have been working under a reinforced security regime since 2021.
“We haven’t had much opportunity or possibility to reduce our vigilance at our external borders,” he said.
The Defence Ministry says that no more than 30,000 soldiers are expected to participate in the Zapad exercise this year.
Meanwhile, some 200,000 troops took part in the 2021 Zapad drills that took place just months before Moscow launched its offensive in Ukraine.
Lithuania’s Chief of Defence Raimundas Vaikšnoras told BNS earlier that the armed forces would be on high alert in August and September due to the upcoming drills.
Zapad drills have been held every two years since 2009 except in 2023.
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