residents are sorry for the forests, even if it is necessary for the country’s security

The idea of ​​establishing a new military polygon in Lithuania was discussed a few years ago. At that time, Varėna district was also viewed – even a selected place between Varėna and Zervynai.

Mayor of Varėna Algis Kašėtė is skeptical.

« I don’t know if it’s a good idea, » he said.

Photo by D. Labutis / ELTA

According to the mayor, due to the protected forests, the entire Varena district is not suitable for a military polygon.

« Varena district is about 70 percent of the wooded. We have many restrictions – the Forest Law does not allow the establishment of industrial zones. On the other hand, there are tens or even hundred hectares of forest, » he said.

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Most of the spoken residents also said they would not want a landfill because of the pity of the forests.

« The forests in Lithuania are so destroyed. Transfer through Scandinavia – you will see how they are stored there.

Some people wouldn’t like the neighborhood of soldiers either.

« There may be space, but it really is needed here at Varėna, » I don’t know, « she doubted.

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« I wouldn’t agree much, » another man said.

The mayor reminds the argument that once proved to be successful: did the military and the Ministry of National Defense have definitely verified that there are no better and lighter decisions?

Four years ago, a new polygon was also searched for Varėna. The mayor then showed the capital’s officials that there is already a polygon owned by the Ministry of the Interior in Rūdninkai near Vilnius – all you have to do is clean it up.

« I had to visit the army commander, discuss and offer a better place. The proposal was accepted – it is a Rūdninkai landfill, » said A. Kasėta.

The German brigade is now being built in Rūdninkai, but there will be little local exercise.

According to the commander of the army Raimundas Vašnoras, Lithuanian and Allied soldiers lack space to train properly, which weakens the country’s security.

« We will try to convince the local authorities that this is a matter of national security, » he said.

Although not officially announced, the main place for the new polygon is again planned to Varėna, but Alytus and Lazdijai districts are also considered.

« We need another additional landfill – it has to appear.

The army distinguishes two important aspects: the point has already been reached when Lithuanian and Allied troops no longer fit in existing polygons; The new landfill must be adapted to armored equipment shooting exercises, which means he will need a large area.

We will try to persuade local authorities that this is a matter of national security.

« The landfill is needed for military training, which includes the movement of armored equipment and the exercise exercise. The presence of a landfill is an essential condition for maintaining and improving the military during peacetime. Its location, size and restrictions are still being decided, but expanding the Lithuanian Armed Forces and Allied

R. Walnor emphasized that « we will lack a break in another large enough landfill, probably in southern Lithuania. »

It is Southern Lithuania, which is a very sensitive place at the strategically important Suwalki corridor between Kaliningrad and Belarus. If this corridor was occupied by Russia, the Baltic States would be cut off from NATO’s help from the West.

Lithuania is asking for more NATO troops. Laurynas Kasčiūnas, who has just been the Minister of National Defense, says the lack of polygons is stopping negotiations on a higher number of troops.

« I constantly appeal to a new guideline who also talks about new polygons. So when? When? When do the suggestions? And we all know how it is sensitive, » said L. Kasčiūnas.

Another problem is that existing Lithuanian polygons (Rukla, Pabrade, Kazlų Rūda) are too small according to NATO standards. They are suitable for training around the battalion – about a thousand soldiers. However, Lithuania needs a polygon where the whole brigade could train – several thousand troops, especially when the German military contingent arrives.

« If we have artillery battalions and large -caliber infantry fighting machines, it is difficult to train in a small landfill, » said Prime Minister Paluck.

Because finding thousands of hectares for a polygon will be difficult, alternatives will also be considered. For example, a shooting exercise would only take place at the landfill, and military technique maneuvers could be carried out in advance in advance in civilian territories.