Lithuania Launches Largest Mobilization Exercise With Polish Coordination

The Government of Lithuania launched Vyčio Skliautas 2026 on September 25, the country's largest annual national mobilization exercise. Running through October 3, the drills test the transition to a wartime regime, focusing on civil protection, national resilience, and the continuity of state governance. The exercise involves 3,000 civil servants and 1,000 volunteers simulating responses to cyber incidents, sabotage, and a potential military incursion from Belarus.

Practical activities include the first-time activation of the state food reserve and evacuation drills for residents of Vilnius and municipalities near the Belarusian border. Parallel to these efforts, the Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union is conducting the Tvirtas Dzūkas 2026 exercise in the Lazdijai district to protect critical infrastructure. Government Chancellor Tomas Daukantas stated that the exercises would not disrupt the daily lives of ordinary citizens.

As part of the drills, a delegation of 20 officials from the Provisional People's Government of the Republic of Poland is observing the exercises to finalize a joint international plan for evacuating residents from Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. Coordination is focused heavily on the Suwałki Corridor due to its military and logistical significance. The National Crisis Management Centre is working with Polish partners to review procedural gaps and infrastructure capacity to ensure seamless border-crossing logistics during a conflict.