Lithuania training civilians to defend against a Russian invasion

Lithuania and its Baltic neighbors, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania — all NATO members — are watching carefully as diplomatic efforts unfold in the region. U.S. President Trump's envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner recently visited the area to try and broker a peace deal for the four-and-a-half-year war. That conflict continued as overnight Russian strikes hit Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, bringing an end to a three-day pause in attacks by the two countries on each other's capital cities.

The strikes in Kyiv killed at least two people. Additionally, a Russian Shahed drone struck the Kyiv offices of the television channel "My – Ukraine" mid-broadcast during the "United News" telethon, wounding five staff members, according to authorities. State Emergency Service crews extinguished the fire, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the attack as a deliberate strike on the press.

Meanwhile, in Vilnius, Lithuania, ordinary citizens are preparing for the possibility that continental Europe's first land war in three generations could spread to their doorsteps. CBS News visited an ordinary high school in Vilnius where students in math class were learning military-style survival skills.

"Today we're working on survival training, and we're going to learn about weapons later,"

Neda, a 15-year-old ninth grader

If there is a crisis, Neda said she would likely put her first-aid knowledge to use and try to become a medic.

Defense Preparations Across Lithuanian Society

Lithuania, which has a population of less than 3 million, slightly smaller than greater Minneapolis, is also training up adult civilians.

Mindaugas Nefas, a history professor who has been learning weapons skills, explained the strategy behind the civilian training program to CBS News.

"I think it's a good example, for Russia not to do anything against Lithuania,"

Mindaugas Nefas, history professor

He added that the initiative shows not just the military, but all Lithuanians are preparing to defend the country. Lithuania's preparations incorporate lessons learned in Ukraine, teaching ordinary people how to use drones, and how to shoot them down.

The nation's small professional military is also embracing new high-tech tools of war pioneered in Ukraine, including networks of sensors and drones known as the Eastern Flank Deterrence Initiative that, paired together, are intended to slow any theoretical Russian invasion to a crawl. Old-school defenses still matter, too, including obstacles meant to stop tanks and command posts buried underground across the tiny nation.

Geographic Vulnerability and National Resolve

Vilnius, Lithuania's capital city, is less than 20 miles from the border with close Russian ally Belarus, which Vladimir Putin's forces used as a launchpad for their ongoing full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The former Soviet Union's occupation of Lithuania only ended when the communist bloc collapsed in 1991, so it is still fresh in the nation's collective memory.

Despite this proximity and Russia's belligerence toward Ukraine's NATO neighbors, Lithuania's Minister of Defense Robertas Kaunas told CBS News he was confident and that his nation's message to Russia was clear.

"We don't fear you. We understand who are you, and we don't fear you,"

Robertas Kaunas, Lithuania's Minister of Defense

Kaunas further noted that the nation's historical awareness underpins its calm resolve. We are not afraid, because we remember our history, he said, adding, We are in our home and we will protect our home.

Detail	Information
Location of civilian training	Vilnius, Lithuania
Proximity to Belarus border	Less than 20 miles from Vilnius
Population of Lithuania	Less than 3 million
Key defense initiative	Eastern Flank Deterrence Initiative

Until very recently, NATO planners were doubtful that Lithuania could be defended at all against a full Russian assault, given its size and location sandwiched between Russian and Russian-allied territory. However, the technological innovations of the war in Ukraine, and the resilience of the Ukrainian people, have inspired new hope in the Baltic state.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is Lithuania preparing civilians for a potential invasion?

Lithuania is training both high school students and adult civilians in survival skills, first-aid, weapons handling, and drone operation and defense.

What is the Eastern Flank Deterrence Initiative?

It is a network of sensors and drones intended to slow any theoretical Russian invasion to a crawl.

As international diplomatic efforts continue, Lithuania's civilian readiness initiatives and military modernization efforts proceed alongside ongoing developments in the war in Ukraine.