Lithuania Finds 2,000 Russians and Belarusians on its Territory Who Pose Threat to National Security

Following the introduction of a special questionnaire, Lithuania has recognised more than two thousand Belarusians and Russians as a threat to national security. This was reported by the country's Migration Department on its website.

According to the department, 1,644 citizens of Belarus were recognised as posing a threat to national security. In 450 cases, Belarusians had their previous temporary residence permits cancelled.

In addition, two Belarusian citizens were denied permanent residence in Lithuania, and eight had their documents cancelled. In 279 cases, Belarusians were denied Lithuanian visas.

A total of 397 Russian citizens were recognised as posing a threat to national security. 76 of them were denied a temporary residence permit in Lithuania.

Another 84 Russians were denied a replacement residence permit, 90 had their previously issued temporary residence permits cancelled, and another 90 had their permanent residence permits cancelled. In 55 cases, Russians were denied Lithuanian visas.

All adult citizens of Belarus and Russia are required to fill in the questionnaire when applying for the issuance or amendment of a document granting or confirming the right to reside in Lithuania, for a new temporary residence permit or a national visa. The questionnaire requires certain information, as well as an expression of attitude to the Russian aggression in Ukraine.

Earlier, the Lithuanian Ministry of the Interior asked the State Security Department (VSD) to check 800 foreigners who have Lithuanian citizenship granted to them as an exception.

Prior to that, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda deprived Russian figure skater Margarita Drobiazko of Lithuanian citizenship.

The Lithuanian authorities claimed that Drobiazko maintained close professional and personal ties with Tatyana Navka, the wife of Dmitry Peskov, the press secretary of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

It is known that the Latvian Citizenship and Migration Board planned to ask 6,000 Russian citizens to leave the country. These were those who had not even attempted to apply for EU permanent resident status.

This caused a mixed reaction in the country, which has been home to thousands of Russians who have not yet been granted Latvian citizenship since the collapse of the Soviet Union. Critics say many of them have failed to integrate into Latvian society.