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Russian transit trains to Kaliningrad are accompanied by Lithuanian helicopters. What was the reason for such a decision?

Russian transit trains to Kaliningrad are accompanied by Lithuanian helicopters. What was the reason for such a decision?
photo: Archive/Russian transit trains to Kaliningrad are accompanied by Lithuanian helicopters. What was the reason for such a decision?
15 / 08 / 2022

Lithuanian helicopters escort Russian trains heading to the Kaliningrad region due to concerns about the Suwalki Corridor to ensure that Russian trains do not stop and are not loaded or unloaded on their way.

It is noted that the Polish-Lithuanian border region between Kaliningrad and Belarus is causing concern in a strategic part of Europe, as the Polish city of Suwalki is located along a corridor of NATO territory between two Russian military strongholds – in the southeast (Belarus) and the northwest (Kaliningrad). This territory is called the Suwalki Corridor. There is speculation that Russia may use force to try to seize the border region that would connect Kaliningrad to Belarus.

Anxiety in the region grew after threatening comments by the governments of the Russian Federation and Belarus, as well as a draft law submitted to the Russian parliament on the cancellation of Moscow's recognition of Lithuania's independence from the Soviet Union.

Background: The Suwalki Corridor region has a long history of conflicts, from Napoleon to two world wars, when fierce battles took place here. When World War II ended, Kaliningrad came under the control of the Soviet Union and was designated as Russian territory.

Today, although the military and intelligence do not see an immediate military threat from Russia, they are concerned about its aggression and unpredictable behaviour.

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