Lithuanian Minister of National Defense Arvydas Anušauskas is stepping down, a decision that surprised him as he had not received any prior complaints from Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė. Anušauskas denies seeking President Gitanas Nausėda's endorsement and suggests his resignation is a political decision. He has previously mentioned potential corruption in defense procurement, which he addressed with the Special Investigation Service (STT). The article also discusses the political implications of his resignation, internal party conflicts within the Homeland Union – Lithuanian Christian Democrats (TS-LKD), and the potential impact on national security and Lithuania's international relations.

The article investigates the national security threats posed by the business connections of Aivaras Stumbras, the son-in-law of former Lithuanian President Rolandas Paksas. Stumbras' companies, Energijos parkai and Energijos turto investicijos, faced rejections for connecting to the national grid due to their ties with Russian entities. The Lithuanian State Security Department and the National Security Coordination Commission confirmed these threats. The article also highlights past business dealings involving Russian nationals and the involvement of high-profile figures like Vladimir Putin and Aleksandr Lukashenko. The business model of Stumbras, focusing on renewable energy projects, is scrutinized, revealing potential risks to national security.

The article discusses the intensification of Hungary's fight against irregular migration, which has led to the arrest and imprisonment of numerous Lithuanians and Latvians for migrant smuggling. Hungary, facing prison overcrowding, has begun deporting convicted smugglers, who are unlikely to serve their sentences in their home countries. The article details the experiences of several individuals involved in smuggling, including Marek, a 40-year-old Lithuanian who was caught with 37 migrants in his van. Despite Hungary's efforts, led by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, to crack down on migration and smuggling, the country has started releasing prisoners due to EU standards for living conditions and the high costs of detaining foreigners. The European Commission has launched a legal procedure against Hungary's decision to release smugglers, arguing that the shortened sentences are neither effective nor deterrent. The article also touches on the broader issue of migrant smuggling across the EU and the increase in such activities in Lithuania and Latvia.

The State Security Department (VSD) has raised national security concerns over the business connections of Aivaras Stumbras, son-in-law of impeached Lithuanian President Rolandas Paksas, particularly his ties with Russian individuals linked to the Kremlin. Stumbras' companies faced rejections from Litgrid for signing letters of intent due to these security risks. The Coordination Commission for the Protection of Objects of National Security Importance confirmed these risks, leading to halted projects and legal actions. Despite withdrawing a complaint, Stumbras' firms continue to seek pre-connection conditions for wind energy projects, navigating around new regulations.

Despite sanctions on luxury goods to Russia, high-end cars are still being shipped there via Lithuania, often using Belarus as a transit country. Exports to Belarus have increased significantly, and car dealers are advertising ways to circumvent sanctions using social media. The European Union's ban includes vehicles worth over 50,000 euros, but dealers are using various methods, such as employing dual nationals or Belarusians working in Poland, to transport these cars. The Lithuanian Financial Crime Investigation Service acknowledges that this route breaches sanctions. Private individuals, rather than firms, are transporting the vehicles, making it difficult to track the final destination of the cars. The article suggests that business interests continue to prevail over political sanctions.

The article discusses the involvement of Lithuanians in migrant smuggling across Europe, highlighting the risks and consequences of such activities. It begins with accounts of fatal accidents involving migrant smugglers near the Lithuania-Poland border and in Poland. The article details how smugglers are recruited, often through social networks like Telegram, and the lucrative offers made to them. The State Border Guard Service's deputy head, Albertas Karkauskas, explains the legal repercussions for smugglers. The article also covers the experiences of Lithuanians imprisoned in Hungary for smuggling, including interviews with their family members. It further explores the structure of criminal networks involved in migrant smuggling and human trafficking, with insights from European police officials. The article concludes by addressing the broader issue of human trafficking and the support available for victims. The piece is part of a project supported by the German Embassy in Lithuania to strengthen media narratives against human trafficking.

The article reveals Russia's strategic plans to maintain influence in the Baltic states of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, as outlined in documents prepared by the Kremlin's Directorate for Interregional Relations and Cultural Contacts. The plans include funding pro-Russian NGOs, preserving the Russian language in schools, and opposing the demolition of Soviet monuments. The LRT Investigation Team, along with international partners, obtained these secret documents, which were drafted in autumn 2021 and detail political, military, economic, and social objectives for the Baltics. The article discusses Russia's concerns over NATO's presence, the persecution of Russian-speaking populations, and the preservation of Russian cultural heritage. It also covers Russia's efforts to counter EU sanctions and promote Russian business interests. The article includes insights from intelligence experts and political scientists on the feasibility and impact of these plans, especially in light of the changed geopolitical situation following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Russia aims to regain influence in the Baltic Sea region by sowing discord among neighboring countries, inciting societal divisions, and attempting to halt NATO involvement. The strategy involves exploiting the Baltic Sea's ecological issues and operating through politicians, scientists, social movements, and media, portraying Russia as a moderator and peacemaker. Documents obtained by LRT's Investigation Department, in collaboration with an international team of researchers, reveal plans developed by the Kremlin's Interregional and Cultural Relations Board. The project targets Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova, and the Baltic states. The strategy includes a separate section on Russia's strategic goals in Lithuania and the creation of a so-called Baltic platform, in partnership with Belarus, to engage coastal countries using ecological issues to legitimize Russian actions. The investigation highlights concerns about potential traps for scientists, activists, and politicians and the use of media to escalate environmental problems and promote Russia's agenda.

A secret Kremlin document, prepared by the Administration of President Vladimir Putin's Department for Interregional and Cultural Relations, outlines strategies for influencing Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. The document, which dates back to autumn 2021, details plans to maintain the Russian language in schools, preserve Soviet monuments, and establish pro-Russian organizations. It divides political, military, technical, trade, economic, humanitarian, and security goals into short-term (up to 2022), medium-term (up to 2025), and long-term (up to 2030) stages. The document also reveals Kremlin's concerns over NATO's presence in the Baltic states, the activities of the Russian opposition in Lithuania, and potential economic sanctions, including the isolation of Kaliningrad. The LRT investigative team accessed the documents through collaboration with various European media partners. The Kremlin's strategy emphasizes preventing the Baltic states from withdrawing from the BRELL agreement and aims to mitigate anti-Russian sentiments in the region.

The article details an investigation into the use of Lithuanian airspace to transport private aircraft from Europe to Russia, potentially circumventing EU sanctions. A Lithuanian pilot, Robertas Petkus, and a Kazakh-Russian businessman, Leonid Sokolov, are central figures in the scheme. Sokolov, with a residence permit in Lithuania, has been reselling aircraft in Moscow and is involved in several aviation-related companies in Lithuania. The Lithuanian Transport and Communications Ministry has acknowledged the issue and sought tighter sanctions control from EU institutions. The investigation also touches on the potential military use of civilian aircraft, with experts suggesting that planes like the Cessna and Beechcraft could be repurposed for reconnaissance or combat in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.