LRT English Newsletter – January 16, 2026.
The push to build a military training area in the Kapčiamiestis area in southwestern Lithuania is meeting a sustained pushback from the local residents – and not just them.
The military says the area is crucial for preparing forces to defend the so-called Suwalki Gap – a narrow stretch of land linking the Baltic states with the rest of Europe, and is flanked on one side by Russia’s Kaliningrad and on the other by Belarus.
Problem 1: Local residents learned about the plans to build a military training ground through the media, with no prior notice.
Problem 2: The training grounds would mean 13 homesteads would have to be bought out, while those remaining on the territory could choose whether to coexist with the military or sell their land to the state and move out.
Problem 3: Populists and marginal actors are peddling lies and jumping on this issue.
A car-crash discussion was held in the area by the military and the defence minister last Friday, which saw shouts, jeers, and fiery statements. Needless to say, the crowd was not only locals – the familiar fringe agitators were also there.
So who is saying what? Locals are worried about losing their land or having to coexist with the noise, as well as about the destruction of a thriving tourism sector. People, and not just locally, are also worried about the environmental damage in this pristine, forested landscape. (There are more arguments, of course, ranging from accusations of corruption to “war mongering”).
For its part, the military says that Belarus also has a military training area and shooting ranges on the other side of the border, which are already audible to the locals. Officials also say that the discussions are taking place so that best solutions could be worked out, including on how to best compensate those affected.
The head of the Nemunas Dawn populists, Remigijus Žemaitaitis, held discussions in the area on Thursday, as well as the President Gitanas Nausėda.
JANUARY 13
Lithuania commemorated the January 13 events on Tuesday with the traditional bonfires outside the parliament and other key locations.
But what do we know about the grey zone that lasted 222 days between the January 13 Soviet repressions and the failed coup in Moscow that sealed the fate of the USSR? A recent documentary – and its short recap available on LRT English – put together the pieces via recently reopened archives.
SOCIAL DEMOCRAT WOES
The ratings of social democrats have plummeted, prompting soul searching on what to do next. Most observers, as well as the politicians themselves, are pinning the blame on the shotgun marriage with the Nemunas Dawn populists or, more precisely, its leader Remigijus Žemaitaitis. According to LRT sources, the social democrats also recognised their battle against the public broadcaster to have been a mistake.
RED LORRY, YELLOW LORRY
If you recall, Lithuanian trucks and trailers were detained in Belarus amid the balloon crisis in late 2025. Many of them are still stranded there, even as uncertainty remains about the exact numbers (and that some companies continue working in the neighbouring countries, even as some of their assets remain locked up).
GREEN DILEMMA
Lithuanian officials say the dilemma over Donald Trump’s dreams for Greenland is pushing Vilnius into an uncomfortable situation. Denmark is considered one of Lithuania’s closest friends – it was one of the first countries to recognise its independence. Yet, Vilnius remains staunchly pro-American over security concerns. So what to do? Officials, both publicly and privately, say they are pinning their hopes on dialogue, because the discussed alternative among European nations is, yup, a potential military clash.
In another foreign policy dilemma, Žemaitaitis travelled to meet with the Hungarian foreign minister, prompting outcries from the social democrats and other critics over an alternative foreign policy being pursued by the populists. This is also partly fuelling the discussions over a coalition reshuffle. According to some Lithuanian officials, however, the interactions with Hungary are mostly focused on party politics, as Nemunas Dawn looks to join the eurosceptic block at the European Parliament.
GOODBYE LONDON CITY
Lithuania will stop funding the connection with London City operated by LOT Polish Airlines, which has been running at a loss, according to BNS sources. Business reps are not happy, saying this makes Lithuania less attractive to foreign investors. As an alternative, Vilnius is seeking a route to London Heathrow. But
PRIVATE EDUCATION
Lithuania’s Tesonet has announced plans to get involved in fostering the country’s private education sector from the ground up. As many cheered, others were less optimistic. According to one education expert, Unė Kaunaitė, this poses the risk of entrenching – or creating – de facto segregation between those who can afford private education and those who can’t. Similar discussions had already taken place before amid the proliferation of the private healthcare sector in the country.
EDITOR’S PICKS:
– We normally don’t report on Russian propaganda, but this one was a bucket of crazy even for the Kremlin.
– Russian “shadow fleet” is on notice.
– Baltic winters used to be wild – imagine having to walk through snow tunnels.
– Lithuania has another unicorn.
– Vilnius tightens regulations on the crypto sector.
– And check out this ice church.
Written by Benas Gerdžiūnas
Edited by Justinas Šuliokas
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