Lithuania holds drills to rehearse transition to wartime footing

Lithuania has launched military exercises to rehearse the transition from peacetime to a wartime footing, involving army headquarters, units, reservists and civilian authorities Rosbalt reports.

The Perkūno griausmas — 2026 (“Thunder of Perkūnas”) exercises will focus on cooperation between the armed forces and other services under tasks set out in the country's national defence plan, as well as joint action with NATO allies, the Lithuanian army said.

The drills will test readiness to respond to crises and asymmetric threats, and to deploy headquarters and reserves in the event of military action.

Up to 2,400 active reservists are expected to be called up to various Lithuanian army units in September and October.

More than 5,000 other reservists will receive notifications asking them to update their contact details and other necessary information.

By Aghakazim Guliyev