Support The Moscow Times!

Lithuania Reintroduces Compulsory Military Service to Counter Russian 'Threat'

Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite

Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaitė has signed a law reinstating compulsory military service, according to a statement published on the president's website Tuesday.

It also provides for the establishment of a mixed military model, based on both professional soldiers and conscripts.

The country plans to draft between 3,500 to 4,000 men every year, according to the statement. The amendment comes into force on Sept.1.

Lithuania abolished compulsory military service in 2008. However, the country decided in March last year to temporarily restore mandatory military service for five years in order to counter a perceived threat from Russia.

The move was triggered by Russia's annexation of the Crimean peninsula from Ukraine and its military presence in the Donbass.

Sign up for our free weekly newsletter

Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysiss and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview
Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy

A Message from The Moscow Times:

Dear readers,

We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."

These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.

By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.

Once
Monthly
Annual
Continue
paiment methods
Not ready to support today?
Remind me later.

Read more