Lithuanian military officials say Russia could lose Kaliningrad in a direct NATO conflict, claiming Lithuania can hold off Russian forces until allies arrive.
Russia could lose the Kaliningrad region in the event of a direct military confrontation with the North Atlantic Alliance, according to an assessment voiced by the Chief of the Defence Staff of the Lithuanian Armed Forces, Rear Admiral Giedrius Premeneckas, as cited by The Wall Street Journal.
In his view, retaining Kaliningrad would present Moscow with a serious strategic dilemma in such a scenario. He argued that NATO should clearly signal that a conflict with the alliance would result in Russia losing control over the enclave.
Commenting on a hypothetical clash between Russia and NATO member states, Premeneckas claimed that Lithuania would be capable of independently holding back Russian forces during the initial phase of hostilities. He said Lithuania’s armed forces number around 17,000 personnel in peacetime and could be expanded to roughly 58,000 through emergency mobilization. According to the Lithuanian officer, such numbers could be sufficient to counter a limited Russian military contingent.
Earlier, Lithuania’s national security adviser Deividas Matulionis also stated that the country is preparing for a potential incursion by Russian forces. He stressed that, in the event of an attack, Lithuanian troops intend to fight until reinforcements from NATO allies arrive.