Vilnius, Lithuania — Russia attacked Ukraine’s capital, kyiv, overnight, ending a three-day pause in the two countries’ attacks on each other’s capitals while President Trump’s envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, visited the region to try to negotiate a peace deal. At least two people were killed in Russian attacks on kyiv. Neighboring Baltic countries Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, all NATO members, watched closely as U.S. envoys continued their efforts to resolve the conflict. Four and a half year war. But as they watch and hope for peace, Lithuania and its neighbors have also long been preparing for the possibility that continental Europe’s first land war in three generations could spill over to their doorstep. CBS News visited a regular high school in Vilnius where, in addition to math class, students were learning military-style survival skills. Along with the rest of their country, they are preparing for the possibility of Russia launching an invasion. “Today we are working on survival training and later we will learn about weapons,” said Neda, a 15-year-old ninth grade student. If there is a crisis, Neda said she would probably put her first aid knowledge into practice and try to become a doctor. Lithuania, which has a population of less than 3 million, slightly smaller than greater Minneapolis, is also training adult civilians. Lithuanian civilians participate in military preparation and weapons training. CBS News History teacher Mindaugas Nefas has been learning gun skills. He told CBS News that the whole-of-society approach to national preparedness sends an important message. “I think it is a good example that Russia does nothing against Lithuania,” because it shows that not only the military, but all Lithuanians are “preparing to defend our country,” he said. Taking into account lessons learned in Ukraine, Lithuania’s preparations include teaching ordinary people how to use drones and how to shoot them down. The nation’s small professional military is also adopting the new high-tech tools of warfare pioneered in Ukraine, including networks of sensors and drones known as the Eastern Flank Deterrence Initiative that together aim to stop any theoretical Russian invasion. But old-school defenses are important too, including obstacles meant to stop tanks and command posts buried underground throughout the small nation. Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, is less than 20 miles from the border with close ally Russia. Belarus, which Vladimir Putin’s forces used as a launching pad for their current full-scale invasion of Ukraine. But despite that proximity and Russia’s belligerence toward Ukraine’s NATO neighbors, Lithuanian Defense Minister Robertas Kaunas told CBS News he was confident. He said his nation’s message to Russia was clear: “We do not fear you. We understand who you are and we do not fear you.” The occupation of Lithuania by the former Soviet Union only ended when the communist bloc collapsed in 1991, so it is still fresh in the nation’s collective memory. “We are not afraid because we remember our history,” Kaunas said. “We are in our house and we will protect it.” Until very recently, NATO planners doubted that Lithuania could defend itself against an all-out Russian attack, given its size and location between Russian territory and a Russian ally. But the technological innovations of the war in Ukraine – and the resistance of the Ukrainian people – have inspired new hope in the Baltic state. Tucker Reals contributed to this report. Go deeper with The Free Press on:
