Rheinmetall Starts Building $346M Artillery Ammunition Plant in Lithuania: Let’s dive right in, shall we? This news is a big deal, signaling a significant investment in the defense of the Baltic region. It’s certainly a vote of confidence in the region’s security and a tangible step towards bolstering Europe’s defense capabilities. We’re talking about a facility that, once operational in 2026, will be churning out tens of thousands of 155mm artillery shells annually. That’s a serious commitment.
Now, you might ask, why Lithuania? Why so close to a potential front line? Well, it’s a valid question, and one that sparks some interesting debate.… Continue reading
Lithuania is planning to indefinitely close its border crossings with Belarus after repeated disruptions at Vilnius Airport, caused by suspected contraband-carrying balloons. These incidents prompted the Prime Minister to vow to shoot down the balloons and accuse Belarus, supported by Russia, of “hybrid warfare” against NATO. The closures follow similar incidents causing air traffic suspensions and delays, with the government considering invoking NATO Article 4. While Belarus has condemned the border closure as a “provocation,” Lithuanian officials and exiled Belarusian opposition figures view the incidents as a form of aggression.
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Lithuania’s Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė announced the indefinite closure of the border with Belarus, citing incidents involving weather balloons. The closure includes exceptions for diplomats, diplomatic pouches, and the return of Lithuanian and EU citizens from Belarus. The Lithuanian military has been destroying the balloons and monitoring their flight paths, allowing for precise action and airport operation adjustments. This decision comes after the border has been closed multiple times due to the balloon incidents, reflecting a long-standing consideration of border restrictions.
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Polish authorities are investigating a suspected Russian plot to carry out sabotage attacks using drones and disguised explosives. The probe, stemming from the detention of an agent allegedly working for Russia’s GRU, revealed instructions to bury and retrieve explosive-filled “sweetcorn” tins. Evidence suggests that these operations were planned not only in Poland but also in Lithuania and Germany, with similar tins discovered in Lithuania and drone components transported between the three countries. If convicted, the suspect could face a life sentence, with the investigation expected to conclude by year’s end.
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Lithuanian Defense Minister Dovilė Šakalienė has urged NATO to adopt a more assertive stance against Russian airspace violations, specifically suggesting the downing of military targets that cross NATO borders. This call came after three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets breached Estonian airspace near Vaindloo island for about 12 minutes, prompting a formal protest from the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Estonia had also initiated consultations under NATO’s Article 4, with Prime Minister Kristen Michal calling the violation “absolutely unacceptable,” while Russia claims the flight was part of a scheduled operation. Šakalienė referenced Turkey’s 2015 downing of a Russian aircraft as a precedent for decisive action.
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Lithuania has fully disconnected from the Russian grid by dismantling all power lines connecting it to the Kaliningrad region, a move reported on September 18. This completed dismantling process, which began in February, reinforces Lithuania’s energy independence and integration into Europe’s power system. Six overhead transmission lines were removed, and similar operations are underway on the border with Belarus, with plans to completely dismantle all connections by mid-2027. Concurrently, Lithuania has fortified its borders with Russia and Belarus by installing concrete anti-tank obstacles.
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Lithuanian prosecutors revealed a network of suspects who planned terrorist attacks across Europe, utilizing parcel services to transport incendiary explosives disguised within everyday items. A Lithuanian citizen sent four parcels from Vilnius containing homemade devices hidden in massage cushions and cosmetic tubes. These packages, sent via DHL and DPD, exploded in Germany, Poland, and the United Kingdom, with a fourth failing to ignite. The coordinated plot, linked to Russian military intelligence, involved suspects from Russia, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Ukraine, who were recruited via Telegram.
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SIM cards in downed drones expose Russia’s months-long plan to target Poland and Lithuania.
The discovery of Polish and Lithuanian SIM cards in downed Russian drones is incredibly revealing. It’s like uncovering a carefully laid roadmap, suggesting that Moscow wasn’t just stumbling around; they had a plan, and it had been in motion since at least June. The fact that these drones were equipped with SIM cards from the very countries they allegedly targeted provides tangible evidence of a long-term strategy. This wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment decision; it was a calculated operation.
This orchestrated approach is further evidenced by the intrusion of these drones into Polish airspace on September 10th.… Continue reading
Lithuania is urging the EU to take decisive steps to make Ukraine’s EU membership application a reality, according to a letter sent to EU capitals. The letter proposes starting technical-level negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, potentially excluding Hungary initially if 26 member states agree, while also suggesting a 2030 target year for accession. Lithuania believes that initiating negotiations would boost Ukrainian morale and support reforms amid intensified Russian military actions, while inaction could weaken public support and the will for reform. This proposal, along with the broader context of the war and potential political influences, will be discussed at the upcoming EU foreign ministers’ meeting in Copenhagen.
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Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda stated that military allies supporting Ukraine should prepare for potential troop deployment within the country. Speaking at a virtual meeting of 31 supporting nations, Nausėda emphasized Lithuania’s willingness to provide troops and training facilities for the allied forces. He also insisted on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s involvement in future peace discussions and rejected the idea of pressuring Kyiv to cede territory. This call to action followed a meeting where leaders discussed the upcoming meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin.
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Matt Underwood 
John Q. Hosedrinker