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Lithuania rejects report of 360,000 Russian troops near NATO border as disinformation

17.12.2025 12:25
Lithuanian intelligence services on Wednesday dismissed as disinformation a German media report claiming that 360,000 Russian troops are stationed in Belarus near NATO’s eastern flank.
This is pure disinformation aimed at intimidating society and creating unrest, the center said, urging traditional media to remain a counterweight to widespread Russian propaganda online.
“This is pure disinformation aimed at intimidating society and creating unrest,” the center said, urging traditional media to remain a counterweight to widespread Russian propaganda online.Photo: Shutterstock/Sarakhan Vadym

The report, published by Germany’s Welt and citing CDU foreign policy expert Roderich Kiesewetter, alleged a massive Russian military presence on Belarusian territory poised for potential action against NATO.

In response, Lithuania’s Armed Forces and Ministry of National Defense issued a statement calling the figures “completely inaccurate,” adding that only a few thousand Russian troops are currently stationed in Belarus—none of which constitute significant military formations.

“There is nothing on Belarusian territory that even remotely matches those numbers,” the statement read.

Lithuania’s National Crisis Management Center criticized the dissemination of such unverified claims by reputable international media, warning that the spread of false information undermines public trust and may cause unnecessary panic.

“This is pure disinformation aimed at intimidating society and creating unrest,” the center said, urging traditional media to remain a counterweight to widespread Russian propaganda online.

(jh)

Source: PAP