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Lithuania preparing evacuation plans in case of war

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Lithuanian Interior Minister Agne Bilotaite.
Illustrative purposes only: Lithuanian Interior Minister Agne Bilotaite during a press conference after Poland and the Baltic states interior ministers meeting in Warsaw, Poland on Aug. 28, 2023. (Foto Olimpik/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Lithuanian authorities are drawing up plans for mass evacuations of civilians in case of an armed conflict, the LRT public broadcaster reported on July 25, citing the country's Interior Ministry.

Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine exacerbated fears of a potential open conflict between Moscow and NATO.

Bordering Russia's ally Belarus and the heavily armed Russian enclave of Kaliningrad, Lithuania would be one of the first countries threatened by such a clash.

The Lithuanian Interior Ministry said last month that it wants municipalities to be able to relocate a quarter of the country's population of 2.9 million, LRT writes.

Priority would be given to families with young children, pregnant women, and people with disabilities.

Interior Minister Agne Bilotaite also said the plans would include international transfers and that the matter has already been discussed with neighboring countries. The minister also added she intends to discuss the matter with the Klaipeda Port Authority.

In light of Russia's war against Ukraine, civil preparedness measures have been under review also in Latvia and Estonia.

Lithuania to provide Ukraine with energy equipment worth nearly $55 million
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Martin Fornusek

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Martin Fornusek is a reporter for the Kyiv Independent, specializing in international and regional politics, history, and disinformation. Based in Lviv, Martin often reports on international politics, with a focus on analyzing developments related to Ukraine and Russia. His career in journalism began in 2021 after graduating from Masaryk University in Brno, Czechia, earning a Master's degree in Conflict and Democracy Studies. Martin has been invited to speak on Times Radio, France 24, Czech Television, and Radio Free Europe. He speaks English, Czech, and Ukrainian.

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