Border guards step up protection of Lithuania's borders with Russia, Belarus

VILNIUS – Border guards are stepping up the protection of the country's borders with Russia and Belarus, Lithuania's State Border Guard Service said on Thursday.

"In response to Russia's aggression in Ukraine, the SBGS is on Thursday taking steps to bolster the protection of the Lithuanian border. The highest level of preventive measures for the protection of the state border is being introduced for the EU external border section Lithuania is responsible for – with Belarus and Russia," border guards' statement reads.

"The non-public plan of measures the SBGS can take within its competence covers border controls and surveillance and the use of SBGS forces," the statement said.

Moreover, the SBGS is also suspending border guards' annual leaves and is recalling those already on their annual leave.

Having been massing some 150,000–200,000 troops near Ukraine's border for some time, Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a military operation against neighboring Ukraine on Thursday morning.

In response to the existing situation, Lithuania declared as state of emergency on Thursday.