Preparing for direct war: Russia's neighbor in an unprecedented evacuation drill

Lithuania has launched an unprecedented civilian evacuation drill involving 14 government ministries, all 60 local municipalities, the military, police, and emergency services. The drill, running until October 3, tests scenarios of direct war with Russia, including power and communication disruptions, cyberattacks, and NATO force reception. Concurrently, Lithuania and Poland are developing a plan to evacuate civilians through the Suwałki Gap.

Lithuania has launched an unprecedented civilian evacuation drill as part of preparations for a scenario of direct war with Russia. The drill began on September 25 and will continue until October 3, involving 14 government ministries, all 60 local municipalities in Lithuania, the military, police, border guard, rescue services, and health, transportation, energy, and cyber authorities. A total of approximately 3,000 public employees and 1,000 volunteers are participating. Authorities are testing scenarios including disruptions to electricity and communication supply, infrastructure damage, resource shortages, cyberattacks, NATO force reception, and continued provision of essential services. Concurrently, Lithuania and Poland have begun formulating a plan for the possible evacuation of civilians from the Baltic states through Polish territory, examining traffic routes, infrastructure capacity, and logistics required for moving a large population. Special importance is attributed to the Suwałki Gap, the strip of land between Poland and Lithuania connecting the Baltic states with the rest of NATO territory. On September 29, emergency sirens will be activated across Lithuania starting at 11:52 AM, and warning messages will be sent to residents' mobile phones simultaneously. Authorities emphasize that this is a planned drill only and that there is no change in the immediate threat level. Against the backdrop of the preparations, the Kremlin-affiliated Russian news agency RIA Novosti published an article raising the possibility of an additional "special military operation" against Lithuania, but the article was later removed. The Lithuanian military stated that Russia regularly uses threatening rhetoric and that the publication does not require additional special measures.