Lithuania’s State Border Guard Service (VSAT) has received 194 asylum applications so far in 2023, BNS reports. Among them were 40 Iraqis, 34 Belarusians, 18 Afghans, 17 Russians, and 13 Syrians. The applications were submitted at border checkpoints or after crossing the border illegally. Most of those who entered Lithuania illegally were Belarusian citizens. In…
A Russian army lieutenant who took part in Russia’s war in Ukraine has fled to Lithuania and applied for asylum, TV3 reports. He was detained at Vilnius bus station, after which he applied for asylum. Earlier, the man had crossed the border from Belarus but was pushed back by border guards. In June 2023, a…
Lithuania’s State Border Guard Service (VSAT) will deploy more officers to the country’s border with Belarus in response to the threat posed by the presence of Russian private military company Wagner Group’s mercenaries in Belarus, BNS reports. VSAT commander Rustamas Liubajevas refused to disclose how many additional officers would be deployed to the border, however….
Latvia’s government has appointed Major General Andis Dilans as the new Chief of the Joint Staff of the Latvian National Armed Forces (NBS) as of 1 November 2023, Baltic News Network reports. He will replace Major General Imants Ziedins, who will continue his military career in the Ministry of Defence. Dilans has been serving in…
One person was killed during a severe storm in Lithuania on 7 August 2023, LRT reports. Lithuania’s Fire and Rescue Department (PAGD) announced that a woman was crushed to death by a falling tree in the town of Zagare in Joniskis district. The storm caused widespread damage in northern Lithuania, as hail broke windows and…
One person died and eight were injured during a severe thunderstorm in Latvia on 7 August 2023, LETA reports. Wind speeds reached up to 33 m/s in areas. The Emergency Medical Service (NMPD) had to provide assistance to people who were injured by falling trees and heavy hail. The storm and lightning caused major damage…
Lithuania has deemed 1,164 Belarusian and Russian nationals a threat to national security, according to the Lithuanian Migration Department (LMD), BNS reports. Altogether 910 Belarusian and 254 Russian citizens were denied residence permits or visas after the introduction of a mandatory questionnaire, which includes questions on Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. Lithuania restricted the…
Belarusian security services continue their malign activities on the border with Latvia, Guntis Pujats, head of the Latvian State Border Guard (VRS), announced, LETA reports. Speaking in an interview with LTV, Pujats said that Belarusian security services were actively involved in damaging Latvia’s border infrastructure to enable the illegal entry of migrants into the country….
Lithuania’s Prime Minister, Ingrida Simonyte, expressed confidence in Defence Minister Arvydas Anusauskas, BNS reports. Earlier, Anusauskas was criticised by President Gitanas Nauseda and other politicians for allegedly disclosing restricted information about the purchase of tanks for the Lithuanian Armed Forces. Simonyte insisted that Anusauskas had not disclosed classified information but conceded that the minister should…