- Category
- World
Lithuania and Latvia Hold First Joint Evacuation Drill as Russian Threats Loom
Prefer U24 Media on Google
- Authors
![Photo of Cyril Barabaltchouk]( "Photo of Cyril Barabaltchouk")
-72b63a4e0c8c475ad81fe3eed3f63729.jpeg "Photo of Cyril Barabaltchouk")
Lithuania and Latvia launched their first joint practical cross-border civilian evacuation exercises, testing how residents would be moved between the two countries during a major crisis, Lithuania’s Fire and Rescue Department reported on November 5.
The drills are taking place on November 5 and 10 and are designed to test the evacuation process in both directions across the Lithuanian-Latvian border.
We bring you stories from the ground. Your support keeps our team in the field.
The exercises come amid broader warnings over possible Russian hybrid operations in the region. In August, US intelligence warned European governments that Moscow could target Poland and the Baltic states through sabotage, attacks on critical infrastructure, or false-flag operations.
On November 5, participants are being moved from Daugavpils in Latvia to Pasvalys in Lithuania. On November 10, the exercise will be repeated in the opposite direction, from Šiauliai in Lithuania to Ķekava in Latvia.
Up to 100 volunteers will participate across both exercise days, traveling by bus across the border while authorities test procedures including public warning, registration, transport, reception, temporary accommodation, and food provision.
“This year, Lithuania approved a detailed population evacuation plan, but it is equally important to test preparedness in practice,” said Kęstutis Agintas, deputy director of Lithuania’s Fire and Rescue Department.
“In the event of a large-scale crisis, population evacuation may cross state borders, so it is necessary to coordinate institutional actions in advance,” he added.
Under the scenario, an unspecified threat in the Baltic region escalates and authorities decide to begin a preventive, voluntary evacuation of priority groups to a neighboring country.
Special attention will be given to people who may require additional assistance, including people with disabilities, families with young children, elderly residents, and other vulnerable groups.
Authorities will also test information sharing, transport coordination, and the provision of essential services during disruptions to electricity or communications.
The department emphasized that the drills were planned in advance and are not connected to any change in the current security situation or to a specific threat.
The exercises are part of the joint Lithuanian-Latvian “MassMovement” project, which aims to establish coordinated mass-evacuation procedures across the border and improve cooperation between responsible institutions.
Latvia has also expanded its border-security powers amid concern over hybrid threats. In October, the country authorized border guards to use firearms and other force to defend border infrastructure, following an incident in which masked armed escorts from Belarus attempted to push migrants toward Latvian territory.
Discuss this article:
