Lithuanian officials dismiss Russian claims about a planned sabotage linked to Lithuania, calling it false propaganda

Lithuania has vehemently rejected recent Russian claims that a Ukrainian agent entered the country from Lithuania in March with the intent to sabotage a Russian fuel facility. According to Vilmantas Vitkauskas, head of Lithuania’s National Crisis Management Centre, the allegations are completely false and part of Russia’s ongoing disinformation campaign. He emphasized that no credible information about the incident exists and that the attempts to link such an event to Lithuania, a NATO member, were merely a fabrication aimed at increasing tensions.

Vitkauskas further noted that the goal of this disinformation was to undermine Lithuania’s support for Ukraine in its ongoing fight for sovereignty. He warned that such propaganda would not deter Lithuania from continuing its efforts to support Ukraine, particularly as the country conducts its Thunder Strike military exercises. Lithuanian officials urged the public to remain alert and cautious regarding the spread of Russian disinformation.

In response to growing tensions, Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova warned that any Western-backed strikes on Crimea or the Crimean bridge would provoke severe retaliation from Russia. Meanwhile, the U.S. Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin, confirmed reports that Russian troops had deployed to a military base in Niger, where U.S. forces are stationed, raising further concerns about Russian military actions across multiple regions.

As the war in Ukraine enters its third year, diplomatic and military pressures continue to escalate, with the international community closely monitoring developments. In Ukraine, President Zelensky pressed the U.K. to expedite the delivery of promised military aid, as Russian forces continue their offensive.

On the cyber front, Russia has also been accused of targeting multiple European countries with cyberattacks, including Germany and the Czech Republic, heightening concerns about Russia’s broader influence campaign in Europe. In military news, Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu claimed that Russian forces had captured over 500 square kilometers of Ukrainian territory this year, although Ukrainian officials have not confirmed these reports.