Germany Deploys Troops in Lithuania Amid Russia Threat

Germany has formally activated a permanent 5,000-strong armored brigade in Lithuania, a significant move to strengthen NATO’s eastern flank in response to rising Russian tensions. This marks the first deployment of this scale since World War II, according to Politico.

The newly established 45th Armored Brigade was inaugurated in a ceremony near Vilnius, with a temporary headquarters set up and Brigadier General Christoph Huber assuming command. 

‘We have a clear mission: to ensure the protection, freedom, and security of our Lithuanian allies on NATO’s eastern flank,' Huber stated in an interview with German media. 'In doing so, we also protect NATO territory—and Germany itself.'

Lithuania, which borders Russia’s Kaliningrad exclave and pro-Russian Belarus, plays a critical role in safeguarding NATO’s eastern borders. Tensions in the Baltic have been escalating, as Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’ of tankers has been seen traversing NATO waters in the Baltic Sea using fraudulent insurance certificates, raising concerns about security.

In addition, NATO’s presence in the region has been reinforced. On March 31, Poland and Romania assumed control of NATO’s air policing mission in the Baltic States from the Lithuanian airbase in Siauliai. Furthermore, Latvia has partially closed three border crossings with Belarus and Russia as of March 19.

As The Gaze previously reported, the Federal Intelligence Service (BND) and the German Armed Forces have learned that Russia is preparing for a major war with NATO.