Lithuania's MigrDep sees no increase in asylum applications after Russia's mobilization

VILNIUS – Lithuania is yet to see any increase in asylum applications after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a partial mobilization, Evelina Gudzinskaite, director of Lithuania's Migration Department, says.

"No asylum applications so far, because it's the second day only, there are no changes yet. We, as the Migration Department, do not feel anything has increased," she told BNS on Thursday.

Lithuania's Interior Ministry said on Wednesday the partial mobilization would not be an automatic basis for granting asylum to Russian citizens, adding, however, that each case would be assessed individually.

Putin stated that the call-up would apply to reservists, primarily those with experience, with Russia hoping to mobilize around 300,000 soldiers.

In response to the mobilization, Lithuania has raised the alert level of its rapid response force, and President Gitanas Nauseda is calling a meeting of the State Defense Council next week.