Lithuanian intelligence warns of provocations ahead of Russia’s Victory Day
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Lithuanian intelligence has warned of possible provocations as Russia and some other former Soviet countries are about to celebrate the so-called World War Two Victory Day on May 9.
“Recently, entities linked to the Kremlin regime have been actively conducting psychological-informational operations against Lithuania and other Baltic states, which include kinetic actions where various violations of legislation are purposefully committed,” the State Security Department (VSD) said in a statement.
These operations are characterised by their aggressive nature and are aimed at influencing and intimidating the public, creating panic and disrupting the work of state institutions, the intelligence service said.
“It should be noted that informational-psychological attack campaigns are usually based on events that are relevant at the time in the targeted countries, and narratives are created using themes important for the public, as well as significant historical dates,” the VSD warned.
“Last year, monuments commemorating the anti-Soviet resistance in the Baltic states were purposely desecrated on the eve of May 9, ahead of the ‘Victory Day’ celebration in Russia. Intelligence services believe that the likelihood of similar attacks or provocations against various sites in Lithuania remains elevated in the near future,” it added.
The VSD also reiterated that the services of hostile countries are trying to recruit citizens of Lithuania and other Baltic states in various ways, hoping to use them in carrying out such provocations or attacks.
“Social media is increasingly being used for this purpose as advertisements are constantly appearing, stating that persons are wanted to spy for a fee, for example, to take pictures of strategically important infrastructure or military facilities and collect data on individuals, or to carry out acts of sabotage or vandalism,” the statement reads.
The intelligence service also asks people to report any social media post offering financial rewards for vandalism and other violations of the Lithuanian law.
The end of World War Two is commemorated in Europe on May 8. Meanwhile, Russia and some other post-Soviet countries mark the day of victory over Nazi Germany on May 9.
Photo: Monument to Grand Duke Gediminas on the Cathedral Square in Vilnius, capital of Lithuania. EU Audio Visual service.
