- Category
- Latest news
Lithuania Approves New Training Range in Suwałki Corridor to Shield NATO’s Soft Underbelly
- Authors
![Photo of Cyril Barabaltchouk]( "Photo of Cyril Barabaltchouk")
-72b63a4e0c8c475ad81fe3eed3f63729.jpeg "Photo of Cyril Barabaltchouk")
Lithuanian State Defense Council has approved the creation of a new brigade-level military training range in the Kapčiamiestis area of Lazdijai municipality, in the Suwałki Corridor, the narrow stretch of land linking Lithuania and Poland and bordering Belarus, a move officials say will strengthen national and NATO security along a critical flank, Delfi reported on December 15.
Presidential chief adviser Deividas Matulionis said the site was chosen because of its strategic location. The Suwałki corridor is viewed as one of the most sensitive security zones in the region, with its defense a priority for Lithuania, Poland, and NATO. Establishing the new training ground is expected to enhance military readiness and security in southern Lithuania.
Every article pushes back against disinformation. Your support keeps our team in the field.
“Lithuania, Poland, and NATO will pay special attention to the defense of this corridor. Thus, the creation of the training ground will increase security in this part of Lithuania,” Matulionis added.
The council also approved plans to double the size of the existing Tauragė training range by expanding it into the neighbouring Jurbarkas municipality. According to Matulionis, both projects are essential for developing Lithuania’s divisional-level capabilities and for enabling a stronger and more sustained presence of allied forces in the country.
He added that the president thanked local mayors for their constructive cooperation and confirmed that all work on shooting ranges and future operation of the sites would be closely coordinated with municipalities.
Discussions over the Kapčiamiestis range have previously sparked local opposition, including a residents’ petition. Lithuanian defense officials, however, say most technical issues have now been resolved, with implementation of the final decisions expected in the spring.
Previously, it was reported that Russia is reviving the same “well-worn” propaganda narratives against the Baltic states that it previously used to justify invasions of other former Soviet republics, according to a new report from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
“Kremlin officials continue to apply the same narratives to the Baltic states that Russia has used to justify its invasions of former Soviet states in the past three decades,” ISW analysts wrote.
Those narratives include claims about “liberating brotherly peoples,” granting them “additional rights and freedoms,” and protecting Russian-speaking communities.
-111f0e5095e02c02446ffed57bfb0ab1.jpeg "Photo of Roman Kohanets")