Lithuanian counter-intelligence officers have successfully dismantled a Russian spy ring operating in the capital, Vilnius, in a major security operation that has thwarted attempts to recruit individuals for acts of sabotage.
The State Security Department (VSD) of Lithuania announced the arrest of a Lithuanian citizen accused of collaborating with Russian intelligence services. The individual is alleged to have been working on behalf of the notorious Wagner Group, a Russian state-funded private military company.
A Sophisticated Recruitment Operation
The spy's mission, according to the VSD, was to identify and recruit willing participants for a covert operation. The targets were individuals with military experience or those who held strong anti-Western and anti-Ukrainian views.
Once recruited, these operatives were to be tasked with carrying out acts of sabotage against key logistical and transport routes inside Lithuania. The strategic aim was to disrupt the flow of military and civilian supplies, creating chaos and undermining security in the NATO member state.
Links to the Wagner Group and Russian Intelligence
Investigators have uncovered direct links between the arrested individual and the Wagner Group. The suspect is believed to have maintained contact with a former Wagner fighter who was coordinating the espionage efforts from Russia.
This operation highlights the ongoing hybrid threat posed by Russia against neighbouring countries, particularly those, like Lithuania, that are staunch supporters of Ukraine. The use of proxy groups like Wagner allows Moscow to pursue its destabilisation goals with a degree of deniability.
The Lithuanian security services have emphasised that this case is a stark reminder of the constant vigilance required to protect national and alliance security.
