Lithuania and Poland are drawing up evacuation plans in the event of war with Russia, focusing on the strategically important Suwalki Gap that links the two Nato members.
The countries are examining procedures, transport logistics, infrastructure and civilian evacuation routes through the 60-mile corridor, which lies between Belarus and Russia’s Kaliningrad enclave.
Nato strategists regard the gap as a potential vulnerability. A Russian advance from Belarus towards Kaliningrad could cut Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania off from allies in central and western Europe.
Vilnius and Warsaw are working towards a bilateral agreement that would provide the framework for the plans, according to Lithuania’s National Crisis Management Centre.
Evacuation plans tested in Lithuania
Vilmantas Vitkauskas, head of the centre, said the two countries were assessing the practical requirements together.
“Procedures, logistics, and infrastructure capabilities are being analysed together with colleagues from Poland, and the plan itself should be developed once an agreement is reached between the two countries,” he said.
The arrangements are also expected to cover the evacuation of civilians from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. In the event of a threat at the border, officials are considering controls aimed at supporting mobilisation and preventing people in key roles from leaving their countries.
Lithuania has launched nationwide exercises, including evacuation drills near its border with Poland. About 3,000 officials and 1,000 volunteers are taking part in the exercises, which are due to continue until October 2, while around 20 Polish officials have been sent to Lithuania to test border procedures.
The preparations come amid warnings that Moscow is testing Nato’s resolve through covert activity against countries supporting Ukraine. Polish prime minister Donald Tusk said earlier this month that intelligence assessments pointed to Russian plans for hybrid strikes involving drones and missiles, including against Poland.
He described the alleged provocations as “far more dangerous than those we have faced so far”. Russia is suspected of involvement in covert attacks on sites in Nato countries, including a warehouse in Britain, a weapons factory in Estonia and an airport in Germany.
Poland’s Rzeszów and Lublin airports suspended operations on September 18 after a Russian attack on western Ukraine took place within miles of the Nato border. The incident was the latest in a series of strikes near Poland in recent months.
European leaders have warned that the Kremlin’s hybrid campaign against the West could intensify within months. Four Russian drones also entered Moldova’s airspace last Thursday, with at least one exploding in the north, according to Moldovan president Maia Sandu.
“Russia’s war endangers all of Europe,” Ms Sandu wrote.
