Vilnius greenlights strategic military base close to Belarus border

Lithuania’s parliament on April 23 approved a decision to establish a military training ground, “Kapčiamiestis,” in the Lazdijai district, with construction of firing ranges planned for 2030, the Ministry of National Defence announced.

It said property owners within the future training area will be notified, Caliber.Az reports, citing Lithuanian media.

Residents will get compensation proposals expected early next year and be paid by mid-2027.

Military training at the site is scheduled to begin in 2028.

The facility will be used for brigade-level exercises involving 3,500 to 4,000 troops, primarily from Lithuania’s armed forces.

Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas said the training ground is of key importance for national defence and will support the Lithuanian division and the German brigade stationed in the country.

According to the ministry, the site was chosen for its strategic location near the Suwałki Corridor, a narrow land strip between Belarus and Russia’s Kaliningrad region.

The training area will cover around 14,600 hectares, currently, including nearly 2,000 private plots, mostly forest land.

The Defence Ministry will take over state-owned land, terminate leases, and repurpose the territory for defence needs.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov