Lithuania to use helicopter to monitor Russian transit trains
Illustrative photo: Lithuania will use a helicopter to escort Russian transit trains (Getty Images)
Lithuanian border guards will use a helicopter to escort Russian trains transiting through the country to the Kaliningrad region, according to Interior Minister Vladislav Kondratovič.
According to him, this will strengthen the supervision of trains traveling to and from Russia's Kaliningrad region.
“We are now focusing on two priorities: improving the management of our national and EU external borders, and implementing the Migration and Asylum Pact,” he said.
The European Commission has allocated 25 million euros to secure the Special Transit Scheme, which allows Russia to send freight and passenger trains through Lithuania.
The funds were used to purchase a modern helicopter, other vehicles, and specialized equipment aimed at improving the management of security risks associated with the scheme.
Kaliningrad region
Kaliningrad region is an enclave of Russia located between Poland and Lithuania, on the Baltic Sea coast. The Kaliningrad region is small in size, but its strategic location and access to the Baltic Sea make it important in terms of Russia's military and economic policy.
This creates certain difficulties in the interaction between Russia and the EU, as the transit of goods and people through these countries requires special agreements and permits. In addition, the local infrastructure is connected to both Europe and the rest of Russia, which increases the importance of this region for ensuring security and stability in the Baltic region.
Earlier, the Lithuanian Ministry of Defense tested anti-tank structures to strengthen fortifications near the border with Russia's Kaliningrad region.
