Lithuanian intelligence warns about possible provocations during planned in September military exercises of Russia and Belarus.
“In connection with significant levers of influence of Russia in Belarus are not excluded provocations or the possibility of premeditated incidents on the borders with Lithuania and Poland during the military exercises “West 2017″, which will be held on the border,” the report says estimates of threats to national security, which is published annually by the Department of state security of Lithuania (DGB) and the Second Department of operational services under the Ministry of defence.
The document notes that the greatest threat to Lithuania remains “aggressive foreign policy of Russia”, the concentration of its military capacities at the border of the country and active intelligence activities.
Recently, the Belarusian defense Ministry reported that the exercises “West 2017” from 14 to 20 September was attended by 13 thousand.
According to the Lithuanian intelligence service, “it is likely that the true number of participants of the exercise will be much greater, and the script will be laid armed conflict with NATO.”
The report also says that Russia, which now strengthens military power in the Western part of the country and in the Kaliningrad region, has the ability to launch military actions against the Baltic countries in 24-48 hours.
The document notes that in the near future, Russia will deploy in the Kaliningrad region rocket complexes “Iskander” on a regular basis, citing this move as a response to NATO’s actions.
Earlier, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko said that Belarusian-Russian exercises “West-2017” will be defensive only, they will be able to observe representatives of NATO.
