More Young Lithuanians Enlist in Army as Government Moves to Exclude Russian and Belarusian Citizens

In 2024, Lithuania saw an increase in the number of young people voluntarily joining the army. Additionally, the Lithuanian government is planning to ban individuals holding Russian or Belarusian citizenship from serving in its military.

This was reported by the Delfi news outlet and the LRT news network.

It is noted that in the first 10 months of this year alone, more than 2,700 young people who were not on conscription lists applied to join the army. This marks a 48% increase compared to the same period in 2023 and an 85% increase compared to 2022.

“It is encouraging to see more and more young people voluntarily joining the army. This not only demonstrates a growing sense of civic duty but also a strong desire to contribute to the country’s defense. Such results are especially significant given the current global security situation,” said Chief of Defense General of Lithuania, Raimundas Vaikšnoras.

Lithuania is also seeking to ban individuals with Russian and Belarusian citizenship from serving in its armed forces. The relevant legislative amendments have been drafted and registered by the Minister of Defense and the head of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security and Defense.

According to the new amendments, Lithuanians holding dual citizenship with Russia or Belarus will be barred from professional military service, participation in volunteer forces, and all other forms of voluntary and mandatory military service.

Defense Minister of Lithuania Laurynas Kasčiūnas emphasized that this ban is necessary to prevent the potential leakage of national defense-related information through individuals with dual citizenship.

Previously, on October 23, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine announced that Lithuania is investing €10 million in the production of the "Palianytsia" rocket drone, following the "Danish model " of direct funding for a Ukrainian manufacturer.