Lithuania not worried about Belarus’ surprise drills – Lithuanian MP

December 15, BPN. Lithuania sees no additional threats following a surprise check of combat readiness in Belarus, Laurynas Kasčiūnas, head of the national security committee in the Lithuanian parliament, told Delfi.

Each move by “hostile states” should be taken seriously, but Lithuania’s intelligence does not see any real invasion signs now, he added.

At the same time, he stressed the need to boost defense both in Lithuania and on the entire NATO’s eastern flank. Lithuania needs as many allies as possible along with reinforcements of its deterrence capabilities because the current situation may require a quick response, the MP noted.

On December 13, the Belarusian defense ministry announced a surprise check of combat readiness, warning that military equipment and convoys may be moving along some public roads with temporary traffic limitations to be introduced for the general public.

The surprise check comes amid a national drive to verify draft-age Belarusians’ data and Russia’s war against Ukraine. The Belarusian ruler had admitted that Belarus participated in Russia’s war, but said it was “not killing anyone.”