News2025.06.13 08:00

LRT English Newsletter: Leopards, hedgehogs, and cranes

LRT English Newsletter – June 13, 2025.

Three animals dominated the news landscape this week – let’s start with leopards.

Lithuania is edging closer to a deal to locally assemble the German-made Leopard tanks, part of a broader push to boost defence capabilities and secure greater economic value at home. Defence Minister Dovilė Šakalienė confirmed that negotiations are ongoing, with German-Lithuanian joint ventures among the likely partners. The country plans to acquire 44 tanks, as part of efforts to establish a military division by 2030.

At the same time, Lithuania is seeking over €120 million to pour into border security, has approved no-tender acquisitions of kamikaze drones and anti-tank mines, and joined five other nations in procuring CV90 infantry fighting vehicles.

Still, during his visit to Japan, Lithuania’s President Gitanas Nausėda claimed to have succeeded in presenting Lithuania as a country that is thinking beyond war.

HEDGEHOGS

As Germany’s intelligence chief warns that Russia may deploy “little green men” to the Baltics and Estonia’s president stresses that only strength can deter Moscow, a national audit has revealed Lithuania’s emergency alert system is two years behind schedule, with critical funding diverted and major gaps in civilian protection still unresolved.

Meanwhile, anti-tank hedgehogs and dragon’s teeth have already arrived in Vilnius as part of the €762,000 Vilnius Shield defence park, designed to obstruct key access routes into the city in the event of an attack – one of several new anti-tank fortification efforts across the country’s weak points.

CRANES

On a lighter note, the Silver Cranes – Lithuania’s national film awards – saw Pietinia Kronikas (The Southern Chronicles) soar above the competition this year. The 1990s-set coming-of-age drama, directed by Ignas Miškinis and based on Rimantas Kmita’s novel, won 12 of the 18 categories – including Best Feature Film. The film’s sweeping success marks a standout moment for Lithuania’s cinema, capturing both critical and cultural resonance with its gritty portrayal of adolescence in post-Soviet Šiauliai.

CHAOS IN THE SKIES

While Cranes shine, Lithuania’s skies face growing disruption as GPS jamming along Lithuania’s coast intensifies. Officials have linked the interference to Russia’s efforts to protect its Kaliningrad exclave from potential Ukrainian strikes. According to parliamentary speaker Saulius Skvernelis, the signal jamming – though not aimed directly at Lithuania – is spilling over from Kaliningrad’s electronic shield.

Drone pilots report crashes and lost control, particularly near Klaipėda and the Curonian Spit. The Lithuanian Armed Forces have also confirmed a sevenfold rise in jamming incidents. Meanwhile, 13 EU nations have called on Brussels to act, but Skvernelis remains blunt: the problem will persist as long as the war continues.

PM BUSINESS ON PROBE

Lithuania’s Financial Crime Investigation Service has launched a pre-trial probe into a €200,000 subsidised loan granted to Garnis, a company partly owned by Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas. The investigation focuses on potential credit fraud and the possible misuse of funds in connection with a second firm, Emus, also linked to Paluckas.

The state development bank ILTE, which issued the loan, said following a separate internal review that the financing was in line with existing regulations. However, it recommended reconsidering business ties between companies connected through shareholders and closer scrutiny of applications involving politically connected individuals.

Paluckas denies any wrongdoing. Separate ethics and anti-corruption investigations are underway.

ECONOMY UPDATES

After Switzerland’s MET Group withdrew from a potential purchase, Lyda Lubienė, majority owner of Achema Group, has ruled out selling her stake while legal battles with minority shareholder Arūnas Laurinaitis continue.

Kaunas Mayor Visvaldas Matijošaitis’ Vičiūnai Group revealed that it sold its business operations in Russia and other eastern markets last year for over €100 million. The exit included 15 companies and followed public pressure after Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

Despite market fluctuations, Lithuanian experts say real estate remains a solid investment, offering combined returns of around 15% from rental income and property value growth.

EDITOR’S PICKS:

– The Lithuanian ethics watchdog has found Jonava Mayor Mindaugas Sinkevičius in breach of conflict-of-interest rules for using municipal funds to purchase TVs and cover personal phone bills.

– Moscow claims to pull out of Ukraine – as long as NATO pulls out of the Baltic states.

– From gunpowder to AI drones, Ukraine ushers in a new revolution in warfare – but where does it leave us?

– Thanks to an avid reader of our newsletter, we’ve been alerted that the 14th Feeder Fishing World Championship For Nations is taking place in Lithuania on June 14-15.

See the rainbow of Vilnius Baltic Pride.

– Defence minister visited Israel to learn about weapons, not foreign policy.

– What do you know about Lithuania’s greatest alchemist?

– Media: Trump administration considered sending migrants – including Lithuanians – to Guantanamo.

– Ethnic Lithuanians from Russia trapped in citizenship deadlock: ‘What more can I do to prove my loyalty?’

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Written by Agnė Toločkaitė
Edited by Benas Gerdžiūnas

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