In the south-western nook of Lithuania, within the city of Vistytis, they know their enemy effectively.
On the opposite aspect of the border is the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad.
The space across the wire fence separating the 2 territories is very delicate, and we’re informed we will solely movie with an official escort.
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A number of metres away, we will clearly see the huts and buildings that make up the Russian border submit.
It’s so shut that in the summertime, locals say they’ll hear the guards on the opposite aspect singing.
The border submit sits on the far finish of an space often known as the Suwalki Gap.
Previously known as “the most dangerous place on earth” and “NATO’s Achilles’ heel”, it is a stretch of round 60 miles (96.56 km) on the borders of Lithuania and Poland.
It can be the shortest land route between Russian ally, Belarus, and Russian territory in Kaliningrad.
The concern is that if President Vladimir Putin ever determined to escalate the warfare in Ukraine, Russian troops stationed at each ends of the Suwalki Gap may push in from the east and west concurrently, doubtlessly isolating Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia from the remainder of NATO.
“The Suwalki Gap is a potential vulnerability as Kaliningrad and Belarus – now basically a military extension of Russia – could try to cut the Baltic States off from Poland,” underlines Linas Kojala, director of the Eastern Europe Studies Centre.
‘If Ukraine falls – we now have a giant downside’
Despite this, there is no signal of panic in Vistytis; however for some residents, there may be additionally no forgetting that Russia homes troops and reportedly nuclear weapons subsequent door in Kaliningrad.
“We hear helicopters, maybe the tanks shooting,” says former army medic, Vilius Kociubaitis, who’s now the city’s physician.
He is aware of people who find themselves nervous and tells us some have even packed their automobiles able to flee to Poland, with its massive army, if Lithuania is threatened sooner or later.
“We are afraid because if Ukraine falls, we have a big problem because the Russians will come to us from Kaliningrad and also from Belarus,” Vilius explains. “It’s a big risk.”
It’s a worry compounded by an announcement earlier this month by Belarus that round 9,000 Russian troops can be posted there as a part of a “regional grouping” of forces, which it claims are wanted to assist defend its borders.
Lithuania is a NATO member, so it has the safety of the alliance, however the warfare in Ukraine has put folks on edge.
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Volunteer militias have seen a surge in candidates keen to defend their nation.
The Riflemen’s Union informed us membership has risen from round 5,400 folks in the beginning of the yr to greater than 8,000 now.
Others have joined the overseas legion in Ukraine.
Mindaugas Lietuvninkas spent the spring combating the Russians round Irpin and is now in coaching for a return stint.
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He remembers what it was wish to reside below Soviet rule when Lithuania was occupied – by no means once more, he vows.
“They [the Russians] want to come back, but they will not come back, at least I will be one of those who will not let them come here,” he tells me.
At the jap finish of the Suwalki Gap we go to one other potential hazard zone.
The rising variety of Russian troops presently stationed over the barbed wire in Belarus may rapidly cross the border if Mr Putin ever determined to assault.
‘We have to be ready on a regular basis’
Lithuania’s authorities admits the “Suwalki Gap is a critical point” and whereas there is no imminent risk of invasion, the chance stays.
“We must be prepared all the time,” mentioned Vaidotas Urbelis, political director of the Lithuanian Ministry of National Defence.
“In the short term, I would say the risk and the Russian capabilities are lower, but the risk of escalation is higher and that’s why we have to prepare every moment for something to happen.
“We saw some concentration of Russian forces around us before the conflict.
“Now it is much less as a result of everybody went to Ukraine… however although the variety of personnel decreased round us, many of the gear continues to be right here and the drive wanted continues to be right here.”
Lithuania insists its military is prepared for potential Russian aggression.
NATO allies have also sent reinforcements and this month carried out one of the largest international military exercises in Lithuania involving around 3,500 troops.
For now, the country remains poised: watching its borders and strengthening its defences, readying itself to retaliate with full force to any potential attack.
Source: information.sky.com”