Lithuanians and Poles around ‘Suwalki Gap’ fear Russia will retaliate for rail blockade

Paeckys says Lithuania is ready for any scenario. He heads a local branch of the Lithuanian Riflemen’s Association, a volunteer paramilitary organization that is part of the Lithuanian Armed Forces. About 10,000 “gunners” complete the country’s professional army. They took part in the resistance during World War II. Last year they guarded the Belarusian border when dictator Lukashenko sent immigrants to the EU as weapons.

“They are all volunteers who spend their free time protecting the country,” explains Paeckys. “They prefer the garden, but this work is necessary.” Interest in Schuttersbond has grown enormously in recent weeks. “My unit used to have between 10 and 12 new registrations per month, now over 100 per month.”

Poles ask for bunkers

There are also serious concerns on the Polish side. “People are thinking of all scenarios, not because we are already building trenches or arming ourselves,” said Daniel Domoradzki of local NGO Aktywne Mazury. His impression is that more and more people are coming to local shooting clubs. “A direct result of Putin’s aggression.”

Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Domoradzki has received many questions about the location of bunkers and bunkers in the area, “but they don’t seem to be there”. That is why he hopes that the national government will take measures to protect the inhabitants of the border area in the event of war.

Poland relies on the border guards and the Polish army. “Many people in the region work for the military, you understand the concerns. If Russia decides to attack us, the military bases here will be the first target. If he did, Putin would be crazy, but you can’t predict how it would turn out. the madman will act.”