By Halima Adisa
Lithuania has prepared evacuation plans in case of a Russian attack but would fight back if its territory is invaded, Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius says.
Speaking with BBC, Sinkevičius said Lithuanians feel “constantly threatened” by Russia, citing incidents involving drones entering the country’s airspace.
He said Lithuania had prepared for different scenarios, including plans to move elderly residents out of cities without causing major traffic disruptions.
“We will fight back… we will engage,” Sinkevičius told the BBC, adding that some contingency plans were not being made public.
Lithuania, a NATO member, shares a border with Russia’s Kaliningrad exclave and has reported several incidents it describes as “hybrid attacks”.
Last week, NATO fighter jets shot down a drone that entered Lithuanian airspace. The origin of the drone has not been confirmed, although Lithuania’s defence minister said it came from the direction of Belarus.
Germany has also pledged to permanently station a 5,000-strong brigade in Lithuania as part of NATO’s response to Europe’s changing security situation.
NATO’s Article 5 states that an armed attack against one member is considered an attack against all members.
