Preparing for the worst: If war breaks out, they will flee to Poland

The timing and evacuation routes would depend on the location and scale of the threat, Solovjovas said, adding that the authorities presented the updated plan about a year ago.

“One of the evacuation routes from the capital would lead to Poland,” Solovjovas said.

The other planned routes would lead north and west throug h Lithuania, while the authorities intend to coordinate the evacuation rather than allow residents to leave in an uncontrolled manner.

EPA/PIRJO TUOMINEN

Solovjovas emphasized that residents would have to leave the city before the danger becomes imminent.

“Residents of Vilnius should not expect to leave the city via one of the evacuation routes during shelling,” he said.

If an attack is already underway, residents are advised to seek shelter rather than attempt to leave the city.

Poland prepares transit corridor

Authorities in Poland’s northeastern Podlaskie region are preparing a possible transit corridor for people evacuated from Lithuania and other Baltic states.

Local authorities across the region are involved in the preparations, with the aim of ensuring that Poland is ready to receive evacuees and coordinate their onward transportation during a military crisis.

According to Polish Radio, the planning is linked to the war near Poland’s eastern border and the risk of escalation. The preparations are for emergency situations, rather than an evacuation order.

Security Situation on NATO’s Eastern Flank

Lithuania, a member of NATO and the European Union, borders Russia’s Kaliningrad exclave and Belarus, Moscow’s closest military ally.

The evacuation plan was drawn up before this week’s incident, when a drone from Belarus entered Lithuanian airspace and was shot down by a NATO fighter jet on Tuesday, September 15.

Lithuanian Defense Minister Robertas Kaunas said that an explosive device was found on the drone.