Lithuania sees no signs of Russian attack on Baltics but warns of sabotage risk

Potential Russian sabotage could include arson or other attacks against critical infrastructure in Lithuania, the ministry said.

The ministry commented on a Guardian report about possible Russian provocations in the Baltic states or Poland, saying such reports were “aimed at escalating the situation.”

Lithuanian officials also said they were monitoring Russia’s spread of unsubstantiated claims that the Baltic states were allowing Ukraine to use their airspace and territory for military operations against Russia.

The ministry said the rhetoric was an attempt to distract from Russia’s failures on the front line and undermine support for Ukraine.

The Guardian reported June 26, citing Western intelligence sources, that Russia was preparing military provocations in the Baltic states or Poland amid increasing pressure from Ukraine’s long-range strikes on Russian cities.

A full-scale Russian invasion is not expected, the report said. Potential hybrid attacks could include missile or drone strikes, among other actions.

Latvian Armed Forces Commander Kaspars Pūdiņš had previously said Russia had gained an advantage over NATO in drone warfare and could attempt to use a “window of opportunity” before the end of 2028 to invade the Baltic states.