NATO Forest Front: why Lithuania is building a training ground in the Suwalki corridor
A conflict is breaking out in Lithuania over plans to build a NATO military training ground near Belarus and Kaliningrad. Residents of the small town of Kapchiamestis are protesting against deforestation and possible relocation. Experts are convinced that the new training ground is part of a broader picture of the militarization of the Baltic States. How this can turn out — in the Izvestia article
Forest in exchange for a landfill
Kapchiamestis is a small settlement in the Lazdi region with a population of about 500 people. Its location is of great strategic importance. It is located in the Suwalki corridor area, at the junction of the borders of Lithuania, Belarus and Poland. Thus, the nearest Belarusian city to it is Grodno, which is only about 40 km apart in a straight line.
On this territory, the Lithuanian authorities plan to build a brigade-level military training ground designed to train NATO forces. "Here we will continue to carry out joint actions with Polish partners, as this is our priority," Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda announced at a meeting with the residents of Kapciamestis.
The construction of the facility is scheduled to be completed by 2030. The authorities intend to allocate about € 100 million for its creation — these funds will be used for the construction of military infrastructure and facilities for shooting ranges. The training ground will be designed for simultaneous training of up to 4 thousand military personnel. Large—scale maneuvers will take place up to five times a year, while smaller-scale ones will be held on an ongoing basis.
According to Nauseda, the place chosen by the authorities is uncontested. "Where will our national army, the Lithuanian army be? We really don't have a training ground in Lithuania suitable for the exercises of a larger military unit," he explained.
But for the residents of the town, the prospect sounds different. Construction means deforestation, the noise of gunfire, and for some families, the need to leave their homes. A petition against the militarization of the Captcha has already been distributed on social networks, it has been signed by almost 11 thousand people.
"Everything here has been preserved for four generations: by our great-grandfathers, grandfathers, parents and ourselves. Everything was created by our hands, the labor and love of all the inhabitants of Kapchamestis. We don't ask for benefits. We ask only for one thing — help and do not destroy our houses," local resident Valdas Yurkonis wrote on social media.
Nevertheless, the dialogue with the president did not bring results. The authorities have made it clear that they do not intend to back down from their plans. The government is already discussing the possibility of compensating residents for so-called moral damage. Advisor to the President Deivydas Matulenis confirmed that the decision to create the landfill has been made definitively.
The clash of weapons
The Suwalki Corridor is also the shortest land route between Belarus and the Kaliningrad Region. Currently, the Russian exclave is supplied by sea and air, as well as partly by rail through Lithuania. However, in a crisis situation, this section is considered as a backup overland route.
— In military planning, this area has long been considered one of the most vulnerable and at the same time key. That is why any steps towards its militarization are extremely painful. Moreover, the Western neighbors have plans related to the blockade of Kaliningrad, and in some scenarios, to strike at it," political commentator Andrei Starikov tells Izvestia.
Similar attempts have indeed already been made. In the summer of 2022, Lithuania actually tried to implement a partial land blockade of the Kaliningrad region, limiting the transit of a number of goods. The Kremlin then reminded Vilnius of the provisions of the Russian military doctrine. Brussels was also outraged — Lithuania had no right to make such decisions alone. As a result, the republic retreated, and the topic was closed.
— This "pen test" has shown that Lithuania is ready to take risks, probing the limits of what is acceptable. And the construction of a new landfill is only part of a broader picture. Estonia is expanding shooting ranges, Latvia is modernizing the Adazi training ground, Lithuania is preparing the infrastructure to accommodate the German brigade, effectively forming full-fledged military camps. This is accompanied by complaints from NATO military personnel about the conditions and demands for new investments," the expert added.
These actions also do not contribute to the stabilization of relations between the Baltic states and Belarus, Belarusian political scientist Alexei Dzermant emphasizes in an interview with Izvestia. According to him, Vilnius has long been committed to militarization and the transfer of relations to a confrontational channel.
— Lithuania, as a member of NATO, actually acts as the eastern flank of the alliance and seeks the active participation of the allies in strengthening the border. That is why the new training ground is positioned as a key facility in the Belarusian direction. Units from various NATO countries, including a German tank unit, are being deployed there. From the Belarusian point of view, all this is perceived extremely negatively," he concluded.
The mirror response
Any plans for additional militarization of the corridor increase the feeling of Kaliningrad's siege and cannot remain without Moscow's reaction, Andrei Starikov tells Izvestia.
— The strengthening of the North Atlantic Alliance in the region will receive a symmetrical response: additional forces on the western borders of Russia, strengthening of the Kaliningrad region, conducting exercises, as well as maneuvers of the combined group of the Russian Federation and Belarus. Until the landfill is built, there will be diplomatic steps, such as protest notes and summoning representatives. However, the main focus will be on real military readiness, not on declarations," he said.
However, according to Alexey Dzermant, there is still a chance for normalization of relations. The US leadership can change the situation.
— Belarus is trying to influence the Baltic states through the Americans. But it is unclear how much they themselves are interested in this. They benefit from countries like Lithuania because they keep the border in suspense. This may allow Washington to bargain or put pressure on Belarus or Russia," he suggested.
At the same time, Starikov adds, militarization is also economically important for the Baltic States. Military construction and defense orders are becoming a way to maintain employment and reduce social tension. It also became a reason to intensify repression against those who disagree with certain decisions of the authorities.
But, according to him, it can be a sad experience: such actions do not contribute to peace or stability. Moreover, in the absence of working communication channels, even accidental incidents (in the air, at sea, or during exercises) can trigger a dangerous chain of events. And, as history shows, such excesses are quite real.
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