Residents of the Kapčiamiestis in southwestern Lithuania are worried about plans to establish a military training area, saying it will result in trees being cut down and their livelihoods destroyed.
Local people say they have signed the petition and will hold protests if the government decides to establish a military training ground near the Lithuanian–Belarusian border, close to the so-called Suwałki Gap.
The 70-kilometre-wide area connects the Baltic states with Poland and is flanked by Russia’s Kaliningrad and Belarus on either side. Officials previously said the area could potentially be seized by Moscow and its ally Minsk in the event of a military conflict.
“I can’t move away from here. My whole life is here,” says Kapčiamiestis resident Antanas Pečiukevičius. “I didn’t do all this so that I’d be homeless in old age. And it’s not just me – there are many people in the village. People want to live here.”
Residents say they want more information about the state’s plans and future decisions.
“I have my father’s inheritance – nine hectares of land,” says another Kapčiamiestis resident, Benius Radzvilavičius. “So [will they] tear everything apart, destroy it and let it all go to waste? People’s views need to be taken into account.”
The petition says that Kapčiamiestis Forest contains protected areas that are part of the Natura 2000 network, as well as key forest habitats where no economic activity is permitted.
“The Baltoji Ančia river flows just 500 metres away. In summer, you can’t find a place to rest there – the whole area is full of campers,” says Vitas Daugevičius. “So perhaps tourism infrastructure should be developed, rather than establishing training grounds?”
Just across the Nemunas River in Belarus lies the Gozha training ground, where military exercises take place.
“Day and night, sometimes all day long, there’s firing – really loud noises,” says Laima Jakštienė, who inherited her parents’ homestead in Kapčiamiestis.
“There’s a constant feeling of insecurity. You never know whether it’s an exercise, or whether they’ve decided something else, or whether something is happening,” she adds.
According to locals, despite being close to the state border, the area attracts tourists. They worry that if forests are cut down and the geopolitical situation changes, the training ground may never be established, leaving only barren fields behind.
The petition calls for a comprehensive strategic environmental impact assessment and for any plans for the training ground to be halted immediately.
Meanwhile, defence expert Vaidotas Malinionis says that establishing a training ground here, near the border with Belarus, would be a rational decision.
“On a mirror principle, it would be entirely logical to have a training ground positioned opposite the Gozha training ground,” says the retired colonel. “If we see larger forces being built up there or bigger exercises being organised, then we, together with our allies, could provide a counterweight to that threat.”
According to the defence expert, the nearby Suwałki Gap would also make it easier to receive support in the event of a military conflict.
New training grounds are now being established in line with NATO standards, and residents, therefore, should not be concerned, he says.
“The economic benefits – jobs and road infrastructure – are obvious,” Malinionis says. “Modern training grounds are planned so that noise, movement and environmental aspects are managed, with restrictions on night-time firing, animal protection zones and control schedules.”
The decision on the exact location of the military grounds is expected later this month.
“Discussions with local authorities are very important. But we are talking about an object of national importance, and we would like an appropriate solution to be reached,” says Deividas Matulionis, the chief adviser to the Lithuanian president. “Some might look into whether the Rūdininkai training ground in Šalčininkai district is really as bad as it is said to be.”
Lazdijai district municipality has declined to comment on the possible establishment of a training ground in the Kapčiamiestis area.
The country’s Defence Ministry says that the gross domestic product of countries with training grounds is three times higher than in those without them.
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