Lithuania and Latvia have launched their first joint practical cross-border civilian evacuation exercises to test how residents would be relocated between the two nations during a major crisis. The drills, which are taking place on November 5 and 10, aim to establish coordinated mass-evacuation procedures and improve institutional cooperation between the Baltic neighbors.
The exercises are part of the “MassMovement” project, which simulates a scenario where an unspecified threat in the Baltic region escalates, prompting authorities to initiate a voluntary evacuation of priority groups to a neighboring country. According to Kęstutis Agintas, deputy director of Lithuania’s Fire and Rescue Department, the drills are essential because “in the event of a large-scale crisis, population evacuation may cross state borders, so it is necessary to coordinate institutional actions in advance.”
Volunteers Move Across Borders During Two-Day Simulation
The two-day simulation involves approximately 100 volunteers traveling by bus across the border. The schedule for the movement is as follows:
- November 5: Participants are transported from Daugavpils, Latvia, to Pasvalys, Lithuania.
- November 10: The exercise will be repeated in the opposite direction, from Šiauliai, Lithuania, to Ķekava, Latvia.
During these movements, authorities are testing various logistical procedures, including public warning systems, registration, transport coordination, and the provision of temporary accommodation and food. Special focus is placed on vulnerable populations, such as the elderly, families with young children, and people with disabilities. The exercises also test the ability to maintain essential services and information sharing during potential disruptions to electricity or communications.
Officials Planned Drills Ahead of Regional Security Concerns
While the drills coincide with regional concerns regarding possible Russian hybrid operations—including intelligence warnings about potential sabotage or attacks on critical infrastructure—Lithuanian officials emphasized that the exercises were planned in advance. The Fire and Rescue Department stated that the simulation is not connected to a specific threat or any immediate change in the security situation.
This initiative follows the recent approval of a detailed population evacuation plan in Lithuania.
