Conscription in Lithuania: the number of volunteers is growing, and Russians may be banned from service

5 November, 2024 Illustrative photo of servicemen of the Armed Forces of Lithuania. Photo from open sources In Lithuania, in 2024, the number of young people who voluntarily joined the military increased.

The country also plans to ban those with Russian and Belarusian citizenship from serving in the military. Delfi portal and Lithuanian broadcaster LRT reported about this. It is noted that in less than 10 months of this year, over 2,700 young people who were not included in the conscription lists have applied for military service.

This is 48% more than in the same period in 2023 and 85% more than in 2022.

Servicemen of the Lithuanian Armed Forces. Photo from open sources

In October 2024, more than 1,300 young Lithuanians started to serve voluntarily (42% more than in 2023 and 74% more than in 2022). Over 500 young people have been recognized as fit for service and are now waiting to be drafted.

Lithuania also seeks to ban military service for people with Russian and Belarusian citizenship. The relevant amendments to the law were developed and registered by the Lithuanian Defense Minister and the head of the parliamentary committee on national security and defense. According to the new amendments, Lithuanians with dual citizenship of Russia and Belarus will not be allowed to perform professional military service, serve in volunteer forces, or other forms of voluntary and compulsory military service.

Current military personnel who obtain the citizenship of these countries will be dismissed from service.

Lithuanian Vilkas (Boxer) armored fighting vehicle.

Photo credits: Lithuanian Ministry of National Defence

Defense Minister Laurynas Kasciunas said that this ban was necessary to prevent the leakage of information related to national defense through persons with dual citizenship.

He adds that due to possible ties with "hostile states," such servicemen may, on their own initiative, carry out destructive activities against the national defense of Lithuania.