When Russia invaded Ukraine, the number of membership applications for the Lithuanian Rifle Association increased tenfold. The Suvalkijan branch of the National Defense Organization operates in the area of ”NATO’s weakest link”.
MARIJAMPOLĖ / KYBARTAI In February, from a 15-year-old Lithuanian from Augustas Šulskis came the rifleman.
– I joined the Rifle Association because of patriotism and my personal dream to become a soldier. I believe this will help achieve that dream.
Šulskis lives in the small village of Kybartai right on the border of the Russian region of Kaliningrad, whose situation has recently strained the relationship between Russia and Lithuania.
Homeland or Russia’s attack on Ukraine did not affect his application to the Rifle Association, as a military career has been Šulskis’ dream since childhood. In the fall, he will go to study at the cadet school in Kaunas.
However, Šulskis now feels that belonging to the voluntary national defense organization is even more important.
– If war were to come here, I believe I would be able to help in the defense or help those who defend the country. That’s why it’s worth joining the Rifle Association.
Many other Lithuanians and the Lithuanian government now think this way. You can see this when you look at the news headlines of the public broadcasting company LRT from this year:
– Normally, our Section receives a dozen new membership applications per month. When Russia attacked Ukraine, we immediately received more than a hundred applications, says the commander of the Suvalkijan local branch of the union Egidijus Papečkys.
According to him, additional funding of millions of euros for new equipment is very welcome, as is the right granted to some riflemen to keep heavier weapons at home in case of a possible sudden crisis.
The most dangerous place in the world?
The Rifle Association has ten local chapters all over Lithuania. Recently, the 4th department operating in the Suvalkija region, which has its headquarters in Marijampolė, has received the most attention.
Its area of operation is located both on the Kaliningrad border and on the narrow strip of the so-called Suwałk Corridor, which has been called NATO’s weakest link.
In threat pictures has been painted (you switch to another service)that Russia could attack the region simultaneously from Kaliningrad and Belarus, in which case the Baltic countries would be isolated from the rest of NATO.
In the most cynical threat scenarios, the Suwałki Corridor would be the first flash point in the conflict between Russia and NATO – in the worst case scenario, even the first shots of the Third World War would be fired there.
– The title was exaggeration and dramatization. The area is vulnerable, and it would be the most dangerous place in the world if we didn’t know about its vulnerability and weren’t prepared to defend it, says the Lithuanian researcher Tomas Jermalavičius.
He works as a research director at the Estonian International Center for Defense and Security Research.
According to Jermalavičius, both Lithuania, Poland and NATO have, especially recently, increased investment in the defense of the Suwałki corridor.
– Russia uses psychological pressure to instill fear in NATO countries. Dramatic headlines about the most dangerous place in the world play into the Kremlin’s pocket in this matter, says Jermalavičius.
The researcher sees various hybrid attacks as possible. However, he lists several reasons why a military attack on the Suwałki Corridor seems extremely unlikely.
The region is not an easy terrain for a quick occupation, and if Russia attacked, it would completely lose sea connections to Kaliningrad as a result of NATO’s countermeasures. In addition, Russia does not even have the resources needed to attack: a large part of Kaliningrad’s forces are currently involved in the attack on Ukraine.
Papečkys, who heads the local branch of the Rifle Association in the region, says that Russian aggression is worrying, but puts his faith in NATO’s defense capability and deterrent effect.
– We are peaceful people, like all Europeans. But we are brave enough to resist any attempt to invade Lithuania.
The riflemen help the Ukrainians
The Lithuanian Rifle Association is a paramilitary voluntary national defense organization that was founded in 1919. One of its inspirations was the Finnish protectorates.
During the Soviet occupation, the Rifle Association was banned and its members participated in the resistance movement.
After independence, it has functioned as a national defense organization widely respected in society, which holds to its traditions in the field of culture and sports. It has around 13,000 members, but the plans are to increase the number of members considerably.
The youngest members of the youth organization are 11 years old, and many women are involved in the association’s activities. Commander Papečkys describes the Rifle Association as “an organization of responsible citizens” and emphasizes its social role.
Survival skills, first aid, leadership and shooting are taught at the Rifle Association’s camps.
– We try to help young people grow into confident and better people and citizens. The skills learned from us will help them succeed in life, Papečkys sees.
The most important membership requirements are a good reputation, integrity and lack of a criminal record, which, according to Papečkys, helps keep extremists out of the action.
Civilian national defense organization is seen as an important part of a small country’s defense capability. During wartime, the organization supports the defense forces, but during peacetime, its members provide official assistance to the police and the border guard.
Recently, there has been a need for support, especially at the borders. This year, volunteer riflemen have taken in Ukrainians fleeing the war. Last year, they assisted the border guards when Belarus pushed refugees across the border as part of its hybrid operation.
Edita Liškauskė was one of the members of the Rifle Association who guarded the refugees from Belarus last summer. He says the experience showed him the reality behind the news headlines.
– Our task is to be the part of society that acts sensibly, is not afraid, is ready for action, and to help people or fight. I feel my role is very important, he says.
Russia’s attack on Ukraine was a shock to Lithuania, including the riflemen living in Marijampolė. On the other hand, it has clarified the purpose of their voluntary activities.
– Ukrainians are currently fighting for our lives. We have to be ready, but of course hope that everything will turn out well, says Liškauskė.
Finland’s NATO membership would bring relief
When the talk turns to Finland’s and Sweden’s likely soon NATO membership, Commander Papečkys does not hide his satisfaction. He lavishly praises the responsibility and competence of the Nordic partners, and of course Finland’s performance in the winter war.
– The most important thing for us militarily is that the Baltic Sea becomes NATO’s inland sea, where the Russians can no longer move freely.
Finland’s and Sweden’s NATO membership is estimated to bring relief and balance to the problem of the Suwałki corridor as well, as NATO’s presence in the entire Baltic Sea region increases.
– The situation in Ukraine has shown that everything starts from the will of the nation to defend itself by all possible means. Without it, no military alliance will save us, researcher Jermalavičius reminds us.
Augustas Šulskis, who joined the Rifle Association’s youth organization in the spring, repeatedly mentions patriotism as his main motivator.
– Patriotism means love for my country and what I can do for it. As a member of the Rifle Association, I can do a lot, he says.
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