The Baltic countries are preparing mass evacuation plans in case of Russian aggression
Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are preparing mass evacuation plans in the event of a possible increase in Russian military presence or an attack. This decision is related to Russia’s high military spending after the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, reports Reuters.
Since the start of the war, the three countries have already doubled their defense budgets and informed NATO about the threats of cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns and border crossings by Russian planes and drones. At the same time, Russia denies any intention to attack the member states of the Alliance.
Renatas Pozela, head of the Lithuanian fire service, emphasized that the risks can vary – from direct military aggression to damage to communications, migration crises or mass unrest. According to him, preparations intensified after the May 2025 agreement between the countries on cooperation in the field of civil protection.
Plans provide for the evacuation of residents living within a radius of 40 km from the borders with Russia and Belarus, which is approximately 400,000 people. In Kaunas, schools, universities, churches and sports arenas are being prepared for the evacuees. Trains and buses are provided for the transportation of people, stocks of essential items are created. The main highways will be reserved for the military, while civilian transport will be directed on secondary roads.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Kestutis Budris emphasized that the country has a clear plan of action and is ready for an emergency situation. At the same time, none of the three countries plans to evacuate their population outside the Baltic states. The region is connected to Poland by the Suwalki Corridor, where the movement of military equipment will be a priority in the event of a threat.
In Estonia, temporary shelters are planned for a tenth of citizens, the rest will be able to stay with relatives. In Narva, the evacuation may affect two-thirds of the residents, most of whom are Russian-speaking. In Latvia, it is estimated that about a third of the population will have to leave their homes in case of danger. Representatives of the rescue services emphasize that the preparation of plans is carried out comprehensively and covers various possible scenarios of the development of events.
