Lithuanian Colonel: Crisis Preparedness Low but Sufficient for Survival

A Lithuanian colonel has characterized the nation's crisis preparedness level as low, yet sufficient to ensure survival. Colonel A. Zile, speaking in the context of national security, likened the current preparedness to a "first successful (grade)" in school, indicating a foundational level from which further progress can be made.

"If we talk about a four, it sounds weak, but it's not that bad – it's not a one or two, it's not a zero. It still reflects a certain level of preparedness," Zile stated. He acknowledged that while action plans are in place and preparedness is continuously improving, substantial work lies ahead. "This is a weak result, but not zero. We are on the path to preparedness, and it is constantly improving."

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If we talk about a four, it sounds weak, but it's not that bad – it's not a one or two, it's not a zero. It still reflects a certain level of preparedness. If we compare it to school, it would be the first successful (grade) from which you start and move forward. So I would say that our level of preparedness is quite low, but we are at a level where we will be able to survive.

Zile outlined a worst-case scenario involving military aggression, warning of potential surprises and the need for immediate action. "We would have to take action. So, one could say we have to build the plane while already flying it. No matter how we prepare, we will never be ready for everything, but measures are being taken to be better prepared and more resilient," he explained. The head of the Crisis Management Center noted that the center has been coordinating military and civil cooperation for threat response for over a year, with an annual budget of nearly two million euros.

This assessment comes shortly after NATO fighters shot down a drone that had entered Latvian airspace. Latvian authorities reported the drone was downed near Lake Boževas in the Balvi municipality. Earlier this summer, residents received mobile alerts about potential airspace threats, and several drones crashed or exploded within the country, believed to be linked to Russia's war in Ukraine.

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This is a weak result, but not zero. We are on the path to preparedness, and it is constantly improving. Perhaps I will immediately mention the worst-case scenario – if there were a military threat, military aggression against our country – we would face many surprises and would have to take action. So, one could say that we have to build the plane while already flying it. No matter how we prepare, we will never be ready for everything, but measures are being taken to be better prepared and more resilient.