The exercises began on Friday, September 25, and will last until October 3, LRT reports, citing BNS and the Lithuanian government office. About 3,000 civil servants, agency employees, municipal workers, businesses, and non-governmental organizations, as well as approximately 1,000 volunteers, will participate. In the scenario 'Vyčio skliautas 2026', the security situation gradually deteriorates. Participants will check how government structures will act in the event of disruptions to energy and telecommunications infrastructure, ensure the continuity of critical services, and organize the reception of allied forces. Practical actions will also be practiced, including those related to civil protection and the evacuation of the population. All 60 municipalities of Lithuania are involved in the exercises. The Ministry of Defense emphasizes that this is a training scenario. The normal operations of government institutions and services will not cease, and residents of the country are not required to take any special actions. On September 25, Government Chancellor Tomas Daukantas also stated that authorities do not observe any changes in the threat level that would require additional precautionary measures from the population. However, another important detail emerged, directly concerning the entire Baltic region. The head of the National Crisis Management Center, Vilmantas Vitkauskas, reported that Lithuania and Poland are coordinating a plan for the international evacuation of the population. This plan is intended to outline actions in case a military threat necessitates the evacuation of part of the residents not only of Lithuania but also of Latvia and Estonia through the Polish border. Currently, specialists from both countries are studying the necessary procedures, logistics, and infrastructure capabilities. Thus, 'Vyčio skliautas 2026' effectively tests the state's ability to continue functioning in the scenario of a serious military crisis — from disruptions in energy and communication to mobilization, reception of allies, and possible evacuation of the Baltic states' population through Poland.
