Lithuania is seeking to extend the deployment of military personnel assisting border guards along its border with Russia until early November, Interior Minister Martynas Katelynas said Wednesday.
Katelynas said he contacted Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas on Tuesday to request an extension of the strengthened border security measures and the involvement of troops.
“I believe a decision will be made soon. The agreement was for the military to be deployed until October 16, so I hope it will be extended until the beginning of November,” Katelynas told reporters.
The Lithuanian military has assigned about 100 troops to help the State Border Guard Service secure the border with Russia.
Katelynas said no additional troops had been requested so far, but the number could be adjusted based on the border guards’ needs.
“The number is not set in stone,” he said, adding that border officials would assess whether 60, 80 or 100 troops were needed and coordinate with the Defence Ministry and military leadership.
Katelynas previously described the deployment as a preventive measure prompted by publicly available, nonintelligence information suggesting Russia was planning a military mobilisation. He said the threat level along the border had not increased but that he expected people might try to seek asylum in Lithuania to avoid military service.
The Lithuanian military has said cooperation between institutions to strengthen border security is routine and helps ensure that joint tasks are carried out effectively.
Troops are patrolling areas around border guard stations alongside border officials. Depending on operational needs, the military may also deploy mobile patrols, mobile observation posts and military police crews.
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