Photo: Rudninkai, Lithuania. 19 August 2024
The Lithuanian authorities have given orders to build a military town for Bundeswehr soldiers at the Rudninkai training ground, located near the border with Belarus.
According to the Lithuanian Ministry of Defense, intensive preparatory work will be carried out at the training ground before construction begins.
On the morning of August 19, a symbolic capsule burial ceremony took place here, marking the beginning of the first stage of infrastructure development for the military town intended for the German brigade, Voice of America reports.
The military town will cover an area of 170 hectares. The design and construction of the military facility will be carried out by the Lithuanian construction company Eikos statyba, with which the Lithuanian Ministry of Defense signed a contract in early August.
Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė said: “Our goal is not to threaten or intimidate, we do not glorify strength, as our opponents do. But we are confident and must always be confident that, if the need arises, we will not lack either the will or the strength, so that anyone who wants to test our strength will lose the desire to do so. And this is yet another proof of our efforts and desire to ensure the best conditions for allied service in Lithuania. Without our security, there is no security for the allies, without their security, ours is impossible. We are all together in today's conflict between good and evil. We are on the side of good. We know this very well, therefore (we) must be even stronger.”
The country's Defense Minister Laurynas Kaščiūnas emphasized: "Today we have gathered at the Rudninkai training ground not only to symbolically begin the first stage of construction of the military town, but also to make a promise to ourselves and our future. For strong regional security based on a strong will to resist and a united collective response. We pledge to defend Western civilization shoulder to shoulder with our allies.".
"Lithuanian society is well aware of the threats and supports the Lithuanian army and the arrival of the German brigade, as this creates a deterrent effect and significantly strengthens the security of Lithuania, – states the commander of the Lithuanian armed forces, General Raimundas Vaiksnoras. – The development of such military camps and the entire army, as well as the successful integration of allied forces, is only possible if sustainable funding, public support and a clear understanding of the threats to our country are maintained.”.
At this stage of construction, administrative buildings will be erected buildings, infrastructure for the maintenance and storage of military equipment, including warehouses, sites, repair shops, garages for equipment, a security building and dormitories for 600 soldiers and a canteen. The total area of the first stage infrastructure structures under construction will be almost 56 thousand square meters. m.
In total, the military infrastructure being created will occupy 200 hectares.
The Rudninkai training ground is located approximately 35 kilometers from the Belarusian border.
Prepared by: Sergey Daga