„Recognising the need to protect strategic infrastructure – let me remind you that a good year ago we signed an agreement with the Public Security Service (VST) regarding the protection of the city’s critical infrastructure – that is, our power stations, heating facilities, water supply facilities and waste management facilities. The procurement process is currently underway,“ the mayor of Vilnius told journalists on Tuesday.
„The process is ongoing; we must still carry out everything in accordance with the law. Public procurement procedures are mandatory even for such facilities; in this case, a great deal of work has certainly been done, but we are proceeding in accordance with the procedures. (…) I believe that this year we will already be able to announce the first contracts,“ said Benkunskas.
Last November, Vilnius City Council and the State Security Department (VST) signed a cooperation agreement to foster closer collaboration between the institutions and strengthen the capital’s security.
The agreement provides for a greater focus on protecting critical infrastructure and airspace, particularly regarding the threats posed by unmanned aerial vehicles.
„We want to establish what are known as ‘anti-drone forces’ to help us protect sites of strategic importance (ELTA) in conjunction with the Public Security Service. In this regard, we are already taking the initiative ourselves,“ Benkunskas stated.
According to the mayor of Vilnius, he currently has no information from the special services to suggest that the security situation has changed significantly.
„Just like other government bodies, we are being kept informed about any potential major threats. In this case, I have nothing new to say or to point out that anything has changed. This is simply the information I receive as mayor, but we do not specifically control it,“ he explained.
As reported by ELTA, the Minister of National Defence announced in early August that Lithuanian intelligence has information that Russia is considering possible provocations in the Baltic region, including attacks on critical infrastructure.
According to the minister, Ukrainian drones could be used for such operations, to simulate a so-called ‘false flag’ operation.
Back in late July, following reports of possible Russian operations against the Baltic states’ critical infrastructure, Lithuania stepped up security at strategic sites for an indefinite period.
The protected sites include the liquefied natural gas terminal in Klaipėda, the LitPol Link electricity interconnector with Poland, a transformer substation in the Alytus district, and the Kruonis pumped-storage power station.
Furthermore, airspace violations have been recorded for several months in the Baltic states and Finland, with Russian military forces diverting Ukrainian drones from their course.
As the Ukrainian armed forces continue their drone attacks on Russian territory, the Kremlin is levelling accusations at the Baltic states, claiming that they are allowing their territory to be strategically exploited for military operations carried out by Ukraine.