Report: Baltic states prepare systemic plan to evacuate civilians if Russia attacks

The three Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania — all NATO member states — are preparing mass evacuation plans in case of a Russian troop buildup or invasion, Reuters reports. 

The plan envisions moving around 1.2 million people out of three neighboring states, which have a combined population of 6.2 million.

“Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have long voiced fears to fellow NATO states about possible Russian aggression, citing Russian cyber attacks, disinformation campaigns and incursions over the past few months by Russian fighter jets and drones,” the report said.

The three countries have agreed to cooperate on civil defense. Lithuania recently conducted evacuation drills in Vilnius for hundreds of people, but actual plans involve relocating far more. 

In the event of a Russian attack, Latvia could evacuate about 630,000 of its 1.9 million residents, while Estonia plans for around 140,000 out of 1.4 million.

Renatas Pozela, head of Lithuania’s fire and rescue service, said governments are preparing for various scenarios — from mass Russian troop movements near borders and sabotage to information attacks or unrest among Russian-speaking populations.

“It’s possible we will see a mighty army along the borders of the Baltics, with the apparent goal of taking all three countries in three days to a week,” Pozela said.

Plans include housing 300,000 people in schools, universities, churches, and an arena in Kaunas. Collection points, including Lithuania’s capital of Vilnius, have already been designated, with supplies such as toilet paper and camping mattresses stocked.

Passenger vehicles drivers will be directed to secondary roads to keep main routes clear for the military, and maps showing shelters in different towns have been prepared.

Earlier, the Washington-based Institute for the Study of War said that Russia could attack NATO countries much sooner than European intelligence estimates.