A key member of NATO is beefing up its defences in preparation for a Russian assault, as fears develop of a wider battle between the West and Moscow.
Lithuania lies in between Belarus and the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad, residence to the Kremlin’s Baltic fleet.
The nation was a part of the Russian Empire and Soviet Union earlier than it gained its independence in 1991.
The nation shortly turned a member of each the EU and NATO in 2004, steps which it believed would safe its future economically and militarily.
Nevertheless, in current months the Kremlin has singled out Lithuania for sharp criticism, accusing the nation of harbouring anti-Putin saboteurs.
Belarus has additionally claimed that the federal government is permitting its territory for use for the launch of drone assaults on Minsk by anti-Lukashenko activists.
The aggressive rhetoric has raised fears of a doable future assault on Lithuania, main officers to strengthen safety all through the nation.
The mayor of the county’s capital, Vilnius, has determined to spend money on anti-tank defences to assist repel any assault on town.
Valdas Benkunskas mentioned he plans to encompass the capital with a defensive ring of anti-tank “hedgehogs” and “dragon tooth”, in addition to concrete blocks.
“They’re primarily wanted to dam the entry into town by street,” he defined. “The principle roads within the southern and jap path, if you happen to take a look at the exterior border of NATO.
“This additionally features a community of small roads, beginning with forest roads, gravel roads, which could possibly be used throughout an assault on town.”
The map of roads that can be blocked, in line with Benkunskas, was mentioned with defence consultants and won’t be made public.
Metropolis officers are additionally drawing up plans to evacuate town in one-and-a-half days.
“The duty is to evacuate town, all residents, in 1.5 days,” the mayor mentioned.
He added: “Learn how to obtain this is determined by the situations. As I mentioned, instances of sabotage and deliberate interference are doable.
“We could have at the least 5 situations, relying on particular situations.”