Lithuania evacuates strategic reserve from border due to threat from Belarus - media

The Lithuanian authorities have begun a large-scale process of relocating state reserves of food, fuel and essential goods away from the Belarusian border. This was outlined by the National Crisis Management Center (NKVC), LRT reports.

The transfer of strategic hubs to safe zones is planned to be completed by 2027. Currently, 60% of the reserves previously stored near the border have been transported to the central and northern regions of the country.

According to the head of the NKVC Planning Bureau, Aurimas Guščius, the decision is part of the strategy to protect the state reserve, which is used in the event of mobilization, a state of emergency or war. Currently, the design and construction of new facilities in the central part of Lithuania are underway, which are to become the main storage location for civilian and military reserves.

"Of course, the construction and design processes take years, but 2027 is already the final stage of transferring supplies from dangerous areas," Aurimas Guščius emphasized, commenting on the progress of the work.

Particular attention has been paid to civil defense supplies, which are under the care of the Fire and Rescue Service Department. Their final transfer will take place after the commissioning of two new modern warehouses. Although the types, quantities and exact locations of strategic goods remain strictly confidential, it is known that over the past three years Lithuania has spent more than EUR 12.6 million on the accumulation and management of this reserve.

Such steps by Vilnius emphasize the growing tension in the region and the desire to maximally protect critical resources from possible provocations or military actions by Minsk.

As previously reported, ten European states have concluded a large-scale agreement on preparing for joint cross-border evacuation of civilians in the event of an armed conflict on their territory.