Lithuanian Border Guard Chief Resigns After Migrant Attack Incident

Lithuanian Border Guard Service (VSAT) chief Rustamas Liubajevas announced his resignation on Monday, citing a desire to protect the service's reputation amid a recent border incident. Interior Minister Martynas Katelynas stated that Liubajevas informed him of his decision during a meeting, emphasizing that the general evaluated the circumstances and chose to step down.

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Today afternoon, General Rustamas Liubajevas personally informed me that, having assessed all circumstances and not wanting to harm the reputation and prestige of the State Border Guard Service, he decided to resign from the post of VSAT commander.

Katelynas expressed respect for Liubajevas's decision, calling it a responsible step. He noted Liubajevas's over three decades of service, including leading the VSAT through a hybrid migration attack from Belarus and periods of geopolitical tension. The minister acknowledged Liubajevas's experience and professionalism were significant for national security.

However, Katelynas also highlighted that a leader requires the full trust of officers, the public, and political leadership. Questions arose after an incident on July 26 near the Kapčiamiestis outpost, close to the Belarusian border, where a group of migrants attacked VSAT officers. The minister had previously stated he was not adequately informed about the attack, only about the thwarted tunnel digging.

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Rustamas Liubajevas has served in the Lithuanian state border protection system for more than three decades, and has led it since 2019. During his leadership, the service had to withstand the hybrid migration attack instigated by the Belarusian regime, strengthen the protection of the external border of Lithuania and the entire European Union, and operate under conditions of exceptional geopolitical tension. Rustamas Liubajevas's experience, professionalism, and ability to unite the service during these difficult periods were significant for our state's security.

A preliminary investigation was launched into illegal border crossing, later expanded to examine the migrants' actions and whether they resisted VSAT officers. Following reports of the attack, Katelynas ordered an internal review of the VSAT leadership's actions. Media reports suggested migrants attempted to drag a border guard into Belarus during the incident, a claim that, if confirmed, would make Liubajevas's continued service untenable, according to the minister.

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The leader's responsibility covers both these aspects.