Latest news with #Lithuanians
The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Irish Sun
How country on Putin's doorstep is preparing for invasion… with a forest barricade, hidden army & miles of dragon teeth
ON Vladimir Putin's doorstep, a tiny Nato nation of two million people are drawing up war plans for a possible invasion. Lithuania has recruited a secret army and drawn up plans for a forest barricade and miles of anti-tank dragon teeth to help keep Russia's bloodthirsty tyrant at arm's length. Advertisement 15 Belarusian army vehicles take part in war games exercises near the border of Lithuania Credit: AP:Associated Press 15 By 2027, Germany will send across an entire, highly-skilled combat unit to be stationed around Vilnius Credit: AFP 15 Lithuania is drawing up war plans for a possible invasion from Russia Credit: David Bebber - The Times 15 Whilst the Baltic state doesn't have a direct border with mainland Russia, it shares almost 700km with their allies in Belarus. It is also nestled up to Russia's militarised outpost Kaliningrad - leaving them vulnerable to Russian interference and future attacks. Insiders have been Just this week, officials in Lithuania said Russia is ramping up GPS jamming operations against the country - with pilots reporting more than 1,000 disruptions in June. Advertisement Read more on Lithuania It marks a massive increase - with 585 incidents recorded in May and 447 in April. And security chiefs have identified the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad as the source of the "interference". In the face of evil, Gabrielius Landsbergis, Lithuania's former Foreign Minister, said his country is continuing to push back against enemy forces. Lithuania is already in the top five Nato members who spend the most on defence each year. Advertisement Most read in The Sun The government has also managed to make a deal with Germany to Lithuanians are also pushing for the creation of a blockade with Belarus - in case Putin launches a cross-border invasion. Zelensky warns Putin eyeing FIVE other European countries for invasion if he isn't stopped dead in Ukraine Landsbergis told The Sun: "There is a push to think about defence lines on the border. "I would like to see wherever possible new forests being seeded to plant trees. Advertisement "We still have a lot of open space which could be used by tanks to roll over. "I would like to see actual defence lines being built with mines, ditches, infrastructure, such as dragon teeth. "We are taking this really seriously and it shows to the enemy that we are taking the threat seriously." As a former MP in Lithuania, Landsbergis is well aware of the threat that Russia poses. Advertisement Should Putin chose to invade a Nato member then he would likely choose Lithuania, many insiders believe. 15 Lithuanian Army soldiers take part military exercise near the Polish border Credit: AP 15 Gabrielius Landsbergis, former Foreign Minister of Lithuania, speaks to journalists at the Nato foreign ministers' meeting in 2021 Credit: AFP 15 Putin has a very strong relationship with Belarus' leader Alexander Lukashenko Credit: AP Advertisement 15 This is due to its small size - but also the long border it shares with two regions under heavy Russian protection. Vilmantas Vitkauskas, a former security adviser to the Lithuanian government, believes the enclave of Kaliningrad is "the main target for the Russians". Another reason for Russia to view Lithuania as an easy target is due to their small army. Advertisement Lithuania has less than 15,000 active personal in their ranks - and their equipment is also among the most outdated in Europe. A bloodthirsty tyrant like Putin may fancy his chances at pulling off a successful invasion. Meet Lithuania's 'Iron Wolf' troops "WE are ready to fight Russia until the last man, Vladimir Putin's war has a long shadow over the Baltic states - and many people fear if Russia isn't stopped in Ukraine, Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia could be next for Vlad. Lithuanian troops and armoured vehicles were on exercise in the bone-chilling cold of the frozen forests of the Pabrade training area. Our reporter was embedded with them as they carried out the war games drills just 10 miles from There is a danger of feeling removed from the war in the UK, but for the people of the Baltics the conflict is essentially knocking at their front door. Troops hunkered down in foxholes and crawled along the snow-covered ground as they prepared for the possibility they could one day have to fight to defend their homes. Read more about the drills But Lithuania is fighting back against the threat. They have agreed to a major deal which would bolster their numbers and Advertisement By 2027, Germany will send across an entire, highly-skilled combat unit to be stationed around Vilnius. This will prompt Putin to rethink any invasion plans, Landsbergis believes. He added: 'The Russians will have to take into consideration that they would be attacking, not just Lithuanian troops, but German troops now.' Germany pose a much greater threat to Moscow due to their huge and advanced army. Advertisement 15 Poland already has a giant metal border wall with Belarus with those in Lithuania calling for a similar blockade Credit: AP 15 An abandoned fence sits in a forest near the Suwalki Gap area - a land corridor on the shared border between Lithuania, Poland and Russia Credit: Reuters 15 Despite having less than 15,000 active troops, Lithuania's army are confident they can repel a Russian attack Credit: Ian Whittaker And any form of attack on German troops will provoke a response from Berlin far greater than Russia has felt before. Advertisement Vitkauskas and Landsbergis believe more nations within Nato should follow Germany to bolster fellow allies who sit in striking distance. Maintaining strength as a country - and as a united block with other states in Nato and across the world - is vital to keep Russia at bay, Vitkauskas said. He added: "The question is how strong are we as country? "And it's not just Lithuania, any country around us or or even further in different continents." Advertisement PUTIN'S TWISTED PLOTS It's feared a Russian attack could "spark at any moment" - especially with Putin already wreaking havoc across Europe, experts warn. Since the invasion of Ukraine, nations on the Baltic Sea have faced damage to undersea power cables, arson and cyberattacks. A number of attacks on the continent have been attributed to Putin - including a Putin also has a history of facing accusations saying he is being major cyber attacks which strike critical enemy infrastructure. Advertisement Estonian military chief Martin Harem previously warned how the tyrant uses 15 Volodymyr Zelensky has warned Putin won't stop at just invading Ukraine if he isn't stopped by Nato Credit: AFP 15 Lithuanian Emergency Ministry employees work at the site where a DHL cargo plane crashed into a house near Vilnius Credit: AP Vitkauskas believes the despot thrives of "uncertainty by causing chaos within the public", so leaders must always be "vigilant" and "prepared". Advertisement To counter the threat, Lithuania is putting "a lot of effort" into protecting their energy and electricity supplies - but also, internet networks and broadband . This critical infrastructure will be the first to be struck if Russian forces launch an assault so must be a priority, Vitkauskas cautioned. "When we talk about the Russian threat, we understand there is an intent and there is capability," Vitkauskas said. "We've seen what's happening around Europe, what's happening in our country and we know the capability is there. Advertisement "There are very clear examples the Russians have decided to wage operations in our country. "The main effort from the Russian special services is to raise some doubts. It's very strategic. But I'm sure it will not succeed." Timeline of Russian sabotage attacks across Europe SINCE the war in Ukraine it is believed the Russians have launched a wave of sabotage attacks across Europe. Oslo, Norway, June 29, 2022 - Cyberattack renders government websites unusable for 24 hours Riga, Latvia, February 27, 2024 - Arson attack on'Museum of the Occuption' London, UK, March 20, 2024 - Wagner-group linked arson attack at warehouse Wroclaw, Poland, April 18, 2024 - Plot to assassinate Zelensky foiled Warsaw, Poland, April 13, 2024 - Warsaw shopping centre torched by suspected Russian agent Berlin, Germany, May 3, 2024 - Cyberattacks on German politicians and companies Prague, Czechia, May 3, 2024 - Mass cyber attacks on government and infrastructure Vilnius, Lithuania, May, 9, 2024 - Arson attack on Ikea - targeted as store was same colour as Ukrainian flag Paris, France, June 7, 2024 - Russian accused of planning plot to plant bomb at D-day celebration Dusseldorf, Germany, July 12 , 2024 - Western intelligence reveal plot to assassinate German arms boss Birmingham, UK, July 22, 2024 - Russia suspected of planting device at DHL depot Warsaw, November 8, 2024 - Prosecutors reveal Russian parcel bomb plot across Europe Vilnius, Lithuania, November 25, 2024 - DHL cargo plane crashes after suspected Russian package bomb Baltic Sea, December 25, 2024 - Estlink-2 cable cut by ship anchor - one of many cable cutting attacks linked to Russia Landsbergis fears the Kremlin may already be plotting how to launch an invasion through the use of cyber warfare. He says one possible scenario could involve them causing a train travelling from Moscow to Kaliningrad via Lithuania to break down. Advertisement Putin could then say he is obliged to send his men to help the Russian citizens trapped on board. These border agents and police officers would also need to be accompanied by Russian troops due to them entering a hostile environment. Landsbergis believes it could then "all escalate in a matter of hours". Serious panic for both Lithuanian officials and Nato would soon set in once Putin's men enter through Belarus. Advertisement Landsbergis speculated: "Maybe we're just overreacting right? It's a normal civilian rescue situation. "Just help Russians with whatever you can, don't shoot, don't escalate. Take it slow and maintain a cool head. "But then the next thing you know we lose at least partially the control of all of our territory." 15 Landsbergis says one possible attack could involve Russia causing a train travelling from Moscow to Kaliningrad via Lithuania to break down Credit: Ian Whittaker Advertisement 15 Nato soldiers take part in a welcoming ceremony for alliance troops arriving at the Rukla base in Rukla, Lithuania Credit: EPA
RTÉ News
17-07-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Stephen Kenny expecting much tougher test for St Patrick's Athletic away from Richmond Park
Stephen Kenny says he is expecting a much tougher test from FC Hegelmann later than St Patrick's Athletic endured last week in the Conference League. The Super Saints take a 1-0 aggregate lead into this evening's decisive first qualifying round, second leg, but they should have taken more from the first meeting last Thursday. Mason Melia had some big chances by the banks of the Camac, while Jason McClelland saw an effort come back off the crossbar. Eventually, substitute Aidan Keena would score the only goal from the penalty spot. But Kenny says he's not expecting to dominate the Lithuanians in Raudondvaris, like they did in Dublin. "Hegelmann, we probably didn't see the full extent of them last week," he told RTÉ Sport at the pre-match press conference. "At home I expect they'll have a higher level of performance. We'll have to more than match that and make sure we come out on the right side of this tie. "They've more in the locker than they showed last week and they'll be more committed from an attacking point of view. "It's about our level of performance. We were very good last week but we must look to build on that." Pat's have been struggling for goals, with just three in around 800 minutes of action, between the League of Ireland, and their European opener last week. They've been training on astroturf to get used to the feel of an artificial surface, something which they'll have to contend with later at the Raudondvario Stadionas. And Kenny is hopeful that it's just a matter of time before the team really clicks, and the goals start flowing for the Richmond Park outfit. "I was very pleased with our performance [last week]. Our passing was accurate, our movement dynamic, we had pace in the team. "The only thing lacking - we created a lot of chances - was our finishing. "We missed a lot of chances but we kept going. We believed we could get the goal and eventually we got the penalty. "We had the opportunity to give ourselves more leeway but we didn't quite take it. It's important to have that lead and now we're set up for a real battle out here. "We still have it all to prove but I've faith in the players." Last week, Kenny's four substitutes - Chris Forrester, Kian Leavy, Zack Elbouzedi and Keena - brought a different dynamic to the game, with former Sligo man Keena scoring the all important goal. And Kenny says he's contemplating changing things up for a game where he expects his side to be a bit more on the back foot. "We'll need 16 tomorrow out here, it'll be a really tough game," Kenny concluded. "Mason, even though he didn't score on the night, was really good the way he led the line. "We have competition for places and that's important. A few of the players who came on made an impact and that's what you're looking for."
The Irish Sun
10-07-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
St Pat's finally get their goal as Aidan Keena penalty seals first leg win over Hegelmann in Conference League qualifier
THE patience of the Saints was rewarded as their near seven-hour goal drought was ended when Aidan Keena shot down Hegelmann in the Conference League. Substitute Keena drilled home a penalty nine minutes from time to beat the Lithuanians and give St Patrick's Athletic a slender advantage ahead of next week's second leg. 2 St Pat's beat Hegelmann in the first leg of the Europa Conference League qualifiers Credit: Ben McShane/Sportsfile 2 Aidan Keena scored the only goal of the game from the penalty spot Credit: Ben McShane/Sportsfile It was deserved too; Stephen Kenny's men should have won with ease having dominated from the first minute to the last. But until Keena nearly burst the net with his shot from 12 yards, there were few in the ground who truly believed a goal was coming as their troubles in front of goal continued. It is a mystery how the Saints were heading for their fourth blank in a row and were just 12 minutes shy of seven hours without a goal. At Inchicore, the numbers were even more shocking. Read More on St Pat's Not since Mason Melia scored on May 23 had home fans seen a home goal as they patiently and impatiently watched 478 minutes in the meantime without one. And when it came, Melia was central to it. Having been kicked from pillar to post through the opening 81 minutes, he tried to dribble in the area and was felled by Klaudijus Upstas before Esmilis Kausinis tackled Barry Baggley. Simon Bourdeaud'hui took his time before pointing to the spot. Most read in Sport Then there was nothing going to stop Keena's penalty that was hit with the venom that epitomised the frustration of the crowd at finishing that goal drought. And it was more than deserved for the Saints whose relief at getting the win will be tempered by the fact that it could and should have been by a greater margin. League of Ireland mascots compete in charity race in Naas It was so one-sided that the busy fourth official who would sprint to follow play in the middle third-of the field did more running than the linesmen manning the Saints' defensive halves. But while the hosts gave their fans plenty to shout out, there was little to cheer . Early on, Melia glazed wide before the striker flashed another effort over on a speedy attack from Brandon Kavanagh on seven minutes. Kavanagh then had a free kick tipped over on 10 minutes before Jason McClelland saw his cross-shot come back off the bar on 17 minutes. Hegelmann seemed to be in panic mode and the sight of Upstas and Kader Njoya Abdel colliding as both went for the same ball on a counter attack summed them up. And when not running into each other, they were running into Pat's men that had the home supporters incensed. Simon Power had an early shout for a penalty when seemingly tripped by Vilius Armalas early though he was unlikely to get on the end of Brandon Kavanagh's pass. And later Armalas rather blatantly sent Melia tumbling in the area with a body check as the 17-year-old looked to close down Carlos Duke. In between those moments, the Lithuanian defender also got away with a handball when he clearly moved his elbow towards a deflected cross to control it. STAYING ALERT Yet St Pat's domination meant there was always a risk of a counter attack, as Jamie Lennon had to make a crucial block to deny Donastas Kazlauskas a clear shot on 30 minutes. But that was the exception as the Saints continued to press forward with McClelland firing into the side netting and Melia going close before half time. It continued in the same vein after the break as Barry Baggley broke forward but shot straight at Vincentas Sarkauskas and Kavanagh also tested the goalkeeper. And the longer it went without a goal, the more frustration crept in on and off the pitch as Power blazed way wide and Melia put a gilt-edged opportunity over. But just as all hope seemed to be lost, Keena delivered from the spot. SUN STAR MAN Barry Baggley (St Patrick's Athletic) ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC : Anang 7; McLaughlin 6, Redmond 7, Grivosti 7, McClelland 7; Baggley 8, Lennon 7 (Forrester 73, 6); Mulraney 6 (Leavy 83, 6), Kavanagh 7 (Keena 73, 6), Power 7 (Elbouzedi 73, 6); Melia 7. HEGELMANN : Sarkauskas 7; Upstas 6, Armalas 6, Doris 6, Duke 6; Antanavicius 5 (Harouna 83, 6), Kojic 6, Shchedryi 5 (Kausinis 73, 6); Kazlauskas 5 (Popescu 65, 6), Njoya Abdel 5 (Yusef 83, 6), Leo Ribeiro 6 (Wesley 73, 6). REFEREE : S Bourdeaud'hui (Belgium) 4
Irish Examiner
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Late Keena penalty gives St Pats slender advantage over Hegelmann in European opener
Uefa Conference League first round, first leg: St Patrick's Athletic 1 (A Keena pen 81) FC Hegelmann 0. A goal famine of 400 minutes forced Stephen Kenny into a substitution that paved the way for St Patrick's Athletic accruing a slender first-leg lead in their European opener. Groans of frustration around Richmond Park were audible as the Saints toiled against Hegelmann, extending their barren patch to almost seven hours. Just like Joey O'Brien did for Shelbourne against Linfield, however, a treble substitution altered the landscape within seven minutes. Busy Barry Baggley lured Klaudijus Upstas into a foul just inside the box, allowing substitute Aidan Keena to bury the penalty into the bottom left corner despite the goalkeeper diving the right way. It was the striker's first goal since May 30, the same date Saints last tasted victory. Although the better team, familiar failings threatened to deepen the woe of a middling season for St Pat's. A one-goal advantage is theirs to build in Kaunas next week, setting up a second-round tie against either Nomme Kalju (Estonia) and Partizani (Albania). The Lithuanians brought little by way of European history into the tie. They were only formed in 2009, gradually progressing through the ranks to earn a Conference League entrance two seasons that. That was short-lived, slumping to a 5-0 aggregate exit at the hands of Macedonian side Shkupi who Shamrock Rovers beat twice the previous year. Their season had a cosmopolitan hue, comprised of five Lithuanians, two Serbs, a Ukrainian, coupled with one apiece from Japan, Cameroon and Brazil. The senior international representative was restricted to their home-based cohort. Pat's were the side who took the initiative, albeit at a moderate pace. It was understandable for Kenny to change his artillery, choosing teenager Mason Melia ahead of Keena, and the €2m wonderkid could have made the night a whole less tense had he converted on four minutes. Jay McClelland produced the opening by curling a left-foot cross into the box where the unmarked Tottenham Hotspur bound forward somehow sidefooted his volley wide. When Melia flashed a shot over and McClelland's cross grazed the crossbar 13 minutes later, it seemed inevitable Saints pressure would yield but their slack finishing, coupled with vulnerability at the back, contributed to nervous moments. One such breakaway by the visitors had them scrambling, Brazilian Léo Ribeiro squaring for Cameroonian Abdel Kader Njoya who in turn fed Donatas Kazlauskas. It took Jamie Lennon's late tackle for the shot to angle off-target. Two Pat's penalty claims were rejected approaching the break, both involving Vilius Armalas. The ex-Benfica trainee stuck out his arm to block a shot and then needlessly bundled Melia over as the ball was rolling out of play. Neither plea from the home crowd was entertained by the Belgian referee. He would eventually point to the spot but not until Saints were given a let-off soon after the restart. Tom Grivosti's last-ditch tackle from a cross was necessary but the loose ball fell to Léo Ribeiro who could only screw his shot wide with goalkeeper Joseph Anang stranded. Saints still held the upperhand without carrying the punch to perforate the Eastern European visitors. Goalkeeper Vincentas Šarkauskas had to turn over a rising shot by Baggley while Melia spurned another sitting, swivelling and shooting over after the block off Baggley's shot saw up perfectly eight yards out. Melia's determination played a part in earning the penalty, a welcome break for a club still searching to match form with their budget. ST PATRICK'S ATH: J Anang; R McLaughlin, J Redmond, T Grivosti, J McClelland; J Lennon (C Forrester 73), B Baggley, B Kavanagh; S Power (Z Elbouzedi 73), M Melia, J Mulraney (K Leavy 84). FC HEGELMANN: V Šarkauskas; K Upstas, V Armalas, N Đorić, C Duke; D Antanavičius, L Kojić; D Kazlauskas (P Popescu 65), Léo Ribeiro (E Kausinis 74), A Shchedryi (Wesley 73); A Kader Njoya. Referee: Simon Bourdeaud'hui (Bel). Attendance: 2500.
Qatar Tribune
06-07-2025
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
German president pledges support to maintain Lithuania's freedom
VilniuscTypeface:> German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier pledged his country's support in maintaining Lithuanian freedom during a visit to Vilnius to attend national day celebrations on Sunday. 'With the stationing of a German brigade in Lithuania, we are making a lasting promise: Your security is our security,' Steinmeier said at the celebrations. He later plans to visit the headquarters of the German armoured brigade in Lithuania, which is preparing for the unit's deployment to the country. 'This brigade represents mutual responsibility and loyalty to the alliance, as we know that whoever defends Lithuania defends Europe and defends Europe's values. And that is what you do, dear Lithuanians, every day,' Steinmeier said. From 2027, around 5,000 soldiers of the German armoured brigade are to be permanently stationed in Lithuania to protect the Baltic country against threats from Russia and strengthen NATO's eastern flank. (DPA)
