Lithuania says Russia is strengthening forces near NATO borders

Russia is expanding its military forces along its borders with NATO and using the war in Ukraine to gain combat experience for its troops, according to the annual assessment of security threats by the Lithuanian intelligence service published on Friday.

According to the report, Moscow could use these troops after the war as a basis for a possible conflict with the alliance. Lithuanian intelligence also warned that if international sanctions were lifted, Russia could be ready for a ‘large-scale military conflict’ with NATO in about six years.

In that case, the Russian army could be 30 to 50 per cent larger than before the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. At the same time, according to the report, it would have restored strategic reserves of weapons and ammunition.

The intelligence service said Russia has significantly strengthened its military industry, thanks in part to support from China, which has helped Moscow reduce its dependence on Western technology. According to the report, surplus weapons after the end of the war could pose a risk to global security.

Lithuania, a member of NATO and the European Union and a neighbour of Russia and Belarus, is one of Ukraine’s most vocal supporters.

The report also touched on damage to energy and telecommunications cables in the Baltic Sea since 2023. However, according to Lithuanian intelligence, these incidents were probably not intentional.

(reuters, max)