Lithuania Seeks Border Troops as Estonia Moves Brigade Closer to Russia

Lithuania Seeks Troops at Kaliningrad Border

Lithuanian Interior Minister Martynas Katelynas on Oct. 7 asked Defense Minister Robertas Kaunas to deploy armed forces units along the country’s border with Russia’s Kaliningrad exclave. The troops would assist border guards as a preventive measure amid signals that Russia could announce mobilization.

The request followed two breaches of Latvia’s border with Belarus on Oct. 6. Armed guards first escorted groups of unauthorized migrants across the border. Masked individuals later crossed into Latvia, stole equipment and returned to Belarus.

Katelynas said Lithuania’s border remained calm and there was no reason to panic. “Deploying soldiers is a preventive decision, so that we are prepared and can stop similar incidents,” he said.

Kaliningrad lies between Lithuania and Poland. Russia has warned that it could use its full arsenal, including nuclear weapons, if NATO countries attempt to isolate the region.

Parliament Advances Constitutional Change

Lithuania’s parliament voted 106-18 on Oct. 6 to advance an amendment removing the constitutional prohibition on weapons of mass destruction and foreign military bases. Six lawmakers abstained.

The proposal would repeal Article 137 of the constitution but would not itself authorize a particular nuclear deployment. Parliament Speaker Juozas Olekas said removing the restriction would strengthen deterrence and secure “the strongest possible support.”

A second and final vote cannot occur for at least three months and requires support from 94 of Lithuania’s 141 lawmakers. Olekas said the vote could take place Jan. 12.

The measure comes as Lithuania expands defense cooperation with NATO allies and France considers a broader role for its nuclear deterrent in Europe.

Vilnius Offers to Fund Permanent US Base

Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius said Lithuania would cover the costs of establishing a permanent US military base if Washington approves a lasting deployment. US President Donald Trump said the government would “certainly” consider the proposal.

American forces have rotated continuously through the Pabradė Training Area near Belarus since 2019. More than 1,000 US personnel were operating and training in Lithuania as of 2025, and another temporary rotation was expected.

Lithuania purchased nearly €2 billion ($2.24 billion) in US military equipment over the previous three years, making it the largest US defense customer in the Baltic region.

Germany also plans to station a 5,000-person brigade of military and civilian personnel permanently in Lithuania, primarily around Rūdninkai and Rukla.

Estonia Moves Main Brigade East

Estonia will relocate its 1st Brigade, the primary combat-ready formation of its land forces, from Tapa to an expanded base in Jõhvi, less than 50 kilometers from the Russian border. Jõhvi is west of Narva, a Russian-speaking border city regarded as a potential target for hybrid or conventional pressure.

Brigade commander Tarmo Kundla said the relocation reflects a shift toward “active defense,” intended to confront an attack at the border and permit immediate retaliatory strikes against targets inside Russia.

“We have to start from the border and win from the first battles,” Kundla said.

Defense Spending and Capabilities Expand

Estonia announced a 42% defense spending increase for 2026, bringing the budget to €2.4 billion ($2.69 billion), or about 5.4% of GDP. New procurements include US- and South Korean-built rocket systems capable of striking St. Petersburg.

An Estonian defense ministry official said the country was changing its planning as Russia prepared to double forces across the border. The reassessment also comes as NATO’s eastern members weigh Russia’s war against Ukraine and questions about the United States’ long-term military role in Europe.