Lithuania tests a state evacuation plan for the population for the first time

Lithuania has launched the large-scale exercise "Vault of Vytis 2026," during which a detailed plan for the evacuation of the population is being tested at the state level for the first time.

According to LRT, the exercise is taking place throughout the country. It involves about 3,000 civil servants, officials, representatives of municipalities, various agencies, companies and non-governmental organizations, as well as around a thousand volunteers.

The scenario envisages the state's actions in the event of a deterioration in the security situation, disruption of energy and communications infrastructure, the reception of allied forces and the transition to a mobilization regime.

Separately, issues related to the possible evacuation of part of the population across the border with Poland are being worked through. The head of Lithuania's National Crisis Management Center, Vilmantas Vitkauskas, said that Vilnius and Warsaw are discussing border-crossing procedures, logistics and infrastructure capabilities in case of an international evacuation of residents of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.

During the exercise, the state reserve, including supplies and civil protection assets, will also be used for the first time.