Lithuanian Minister of National Defense Arvydas Anušauskas is stepping down, a decision that surprised him as he had not received any prior complaints from Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė. Anušauskas denies seeking President Gitanas Nausėda's endorsement and suggests his resignation is a political decision. He has previously mentioned potential corruption in defense procurement, which he addressed with the Special Investigation Service (STT). The article also discusses the political implications of his resignation, internal party conflicts within the Homeland Union – Lithuanian Christian Democrats (TS-LKD), and the potential impact on national security and Lithuania's international relations.

The article discusses the intensification of Hungary's fight against irregular migration, which has led to the arrest and imprisonment of numerous Lithuanians and Latvians for migrant smuggling. Hungary, facing prison overcrowding, has begun deporting convicted smugglers, who are unlikely to serve their sentences in their home countries. The article details the experiences of several individuals involved in smuggling, including Marek, a 40-year-old Lithuanian who was caught with 37 migrants in his van. Despite Hungary's efforts, led by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, to crack down on migration and smuggling, the country has started releasing prisoners due to EU standards for living conditions and the high costs of detaining foreigners. The European Commission has launched a legal procedure against Hungary's decision to release smugglers, arguing that the shortened sentences are neither effective nor deterrent. The article also touches on the broader issue of migrant smuggling across the EU and the increase in such activities in Lithuania and Latvia.

Despite sanctions on luxury goods to Russia, high-end cars are still being shipped there via Lithuania, often using Belarus as a transit country. Exports to Belarus have increased significantly, and car dealers are advertising ways to circumvent sanctions using social media. The European Union's ban includes vehicles worth over 50,000 euros, but dealers are using various methods, such as employing dual nationals or Belarusians working in Poland, to transport these cars. The Lithuanian Financial Crime Investigation Service acknowledges that this route breaches sanctions. Private individuals, rather than firms, are transporting the vehicles, making it difficult to track the final destination of the cars. The article suggests that business interests continue to prevail over political sanctions.

The article discusses the involvement of Lithuanians in migrant smuggling across Europe, highlighting the risks and consequences of such activities. It begins with accounts of fatal accidents involving migrant smugglers near the Lithuania-Poland border and in Poland. The article details how smugglers are recruited, often through social networks like Telegram, and the lucrative offers made to them. The State Border Guard Service's deputy head, Albertas Karkauskas, explains the legal repercussions for smugglers. The article also covers the experiences of Lithuanians imprisoned in Hungary for smuggling, including interviews with their family members. It further explores the structure of criminal networks involved in migrant smuggling and human trafficking, with insights from European police officials. The article concludes by addressing the broader issue of human trafficking and the support available for victims. The piece is part of a project supported by the German Embassy in Lithuania to strengthen media narratives against human trafficking.

The article reveals Russia's strategic plans to maintain influence in the Baltic states of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, as outlined in documents prepared by the Kremlin's Directorate for Interregional Relations and Cultural Contacts. The plans include funding pro-Russian NGOs, preserving the Russian language in schools, and opposing the demolition of Soviet monuments. The LRT Investigation Team, along with international partners, obtained these secret documents, which were drafted in autumn 2021 and detail political, military, economic, and social objectives for the Baltics. The article discusses Russia's concerns over NATO's presence, the persecution of Russian-speaking populations, and the preservation of Russian cultural heritage. It also covers Russia's efforts to counter EU sanctions and promote Russian business interests. The article includes insights from intelligence experts and political scientists on the feasibility and impact of these plans, especially in light of the changed geopolitical situation following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Russia aims to regain influence in the Baltic Sea region by sowing discord among neighboring countries, inciting societal divisions, and attempting to halt NATO involvement. The strategy involves exploiting the Baltic Sea's ecological issues and operating through politicians, scientists, social movements, and media, portraying Russia as a moderator and peacemaker. Documents obtained by LRT's Investigation Department, in collaboration with an international team of researchers, reveal plans developed by the Kremlin's Interregional and Cultural Relations Board. The project targets Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova, and the Baltic states. The strategy includes a separate section on Russia's strategic goals in Lithuania and the creation of a so-called Baltic platform, in partnership with Belarus, to engage coastal countries using ecological issues to legitimize Russian actions. The investigation highlights concerns about potential traps for scientists, activists, and politicians and the use of media to escalate environmental problems and promote Russia's agenda.

A secret Kremlin document, prepared by the Administration of President Vladimir Putin's Department for Interregional and Cultural Relations, outlines strategies for influencing Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. The document, which dates back to autumn 2021, details plans to maintain the Russian language in schools, preserve Soviet monuments, and establish pro-Russian organizations. It divides political, military, technical, trade, economic, humanitarian, and security goals into short-term (up to 2022), medium-term (up to 2025), and long-term (up to 2030) stages. The document also reveals Kremlin's concerns over NATO's presence in the Baltic states, the activities of the Russian opposition in Lithuania, and potential economic sanctions, including the isolation of Kaliningrad. The LRT investigative team accessed the documents through collaboration with various European media partners. The Kremlin's strategy emphasizes preventing the Baltic states from withdrawing from the BRELL agreement and aims to mitigate anti-Russian sentiments in the region.

The article details an investigation into the use of Lithuanian airspace to transport private aircraft from Europe to Russia, potentially circumventing EU sanctions. A Lithuanian pilot, Robertas Petkus, and a Kazakh-Russian businessman, Leonid Sokolov, are central figures in the scheme. Sokolov, with a residence permit in Lithuania, has been reselling aircraft in Moscow and is involved in several aviation-related companies in Lithuania. The Lithuanian Transport and Communications Ministry has acknowledged the issue and sought tighter sanctions control from EU institutions. The investigation also touches on the potential military use of civilian aircraft, with experts suggesting that planes like the Cessna and Beechcraft could be repurposed for reconnaissance or combat in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

A Russian network has been discovered by the LRT Investigation Team, which facilitates the purchase of aircraft from the EU, circumventing sanctions. The network involves companies in Turkey, Kyrgyzstan, Italy, and Russia. A private plane destined for Russia was detained in Lithuania's Palanga Airport after the pilot, a Russian citizen, went missing. The plane, registered in Denmark and recently sold to a Turkish company owned by a Russian, exposed loopholes in the sanctions regime. Investigations in Lithuania and Denmark are ongoing to determine if sanctions were violated. The scheme includes MAK Aviation Services in Italy and Edermont Ltd in Turkey, both connected to Russian citizen E. Kabanov, who is known for assisting in circumventing sanctions. The incident highlights the broader issue of Russians using third countries like Turkey to bypass EU sanctions.

The article investigates the continued financial presence of Russian oligarchs Sergey and Nikolai Sarkisov in Lithuania, despite their official business exit in 2020. The Sarkisov brothers, founders of the Russian insurance company RESO-Garantia, have been involved in various real estate investments in Lithuania through their company SNS and its subsidiary Fevista. The investigation reveals a complex loan scheme involving multiple companies across different countries, which facilitated the purchase of a palace in Vilnius by Fevista with funds originating from the Sarkisovs. The article also touches on the Sarkisovs' connections with influential Russian figures and the implications of such associations in the context of the Ukraine war. The LRT Investigation Team is awaiting comments from Sergey Sarkisov to add to their findings.

An investigation by LRT in Lithuania, Newsweek Poland, and TVnet in Latvia has revealed a coordinated spread of pro-Kremlin messages in these countries. The messages, disseminated by marginal politicians and activists, claim US and NATO involvement in the war in Ukraine, demonize Ukrainian refugees, and accuse the Ukrainian military of violence in Donbas since 2014. The investigation identified individuals in each country, such as Algirdas Paleckis in Lithuania, who are known for spreading Russian propaganda. These individuals have been active on social media platforms like Facebook, Telegram, and Youtube, and have continued their activities despite being blocked for spreading disinformation. The pro-Kremlin narratives align with those broadcast by Russian media and include claims of Russia fighting against US/NATO in Ukraine, US aggression in other conflicts, and the success of Russia's military operation in Ukraine.

Linas Linkevičius, a special assignment ambassador and former Minister of National Defence, emphasizes the importance of the West maintaining its position and not urging Ukraine to sacrifice its eastern territories for peace. He criticizes the Russian annexation of four Ukrainian regions and the Kremlin's reliance on threats rather than military competence. Linkevičius predicts that Russian military leaders may soon be punished for failures at the front and notes the danger of the current regime's emphasis on loyalty over competence. Despite propaganda efforts, he observes the Ukrainian forces' recent advances and insists on the necessity of continued support for Ukraine against the aggressor.

Lithuanian food manufacturer Daumantai is attempting to divest from its factory in Kaliningrad, Russia, following the invasion of Ukraine. The company, through a Dutch-registered entity, owns a majority stake in Agroprodukt, which operates under the Kaliningradskiy and Slavianskiy Dar brands. The factory's manager, Arūnas Pauliukaitis, has been instructed by Daumantai's shareholders to find a buyer for the Russian subsidiary. Daumantai's CEO, Saulius Grinkevičius, who is also a liberal member of the Kėdainiai Municipal Council and a former mayor, has stated that the company has ceased relations with the Kaliningrad company and is actively seeking to sell its shares. However, due to Russian laws preventing foreign investors from withdrawing capital and the potential for nationalization or criminal prosecution, divesting is proving difficult. Another Lithuanian company, Vičiūnai Group, owned by Kaunas Mayor Visvaldas Matijošaitis, is also facing scrutiny for its Kaliningrad operations.

Mikhail Poluboyarinov, the former head of the Russian state-owned airline Aeroflot, has been linked to two properties in Palanga, Lithuania, which have been frozen due to EU sanctions against Moscow. The properties were acquired in 2008 and 2016, with the latter being purchased under his son's name. The LRT Investigation Team discovered that these properties were used for vacation purposes by Poluboyarinov's family. Following his resignation from Aeroflot in March and being sanctioned by the EU, the Lithuanian Financial Crimes Investigation Service has frozen these assets, preventing any sale, transfer, or income generation from them. Poluboyarinov declined to comment when contacted by the LRT Investigation Team.

The article investigates the events surrounding the violent protests that occurred outside the Lithuanian parliament on August 10. Initially, a peaceful rally against government restrictions on unvaccinated people turned violent in the evening. The LRT Investigation Team found that the violence was not spontaneous but was incited by individuals who had been agitating the public before and during the rally. Key figures involved in organizing and inciting the violence included Astra Astrauskaitė, Kęstutis Tamašauskas, and members of the Lithuanian Family Movement and Patriotic Lithuanians. The article details the actions of various individuals who were seen instigating violence and participating in the riots, including throwing stones at police and harassing politicians. Despite the unrest, a subsequent rally on September 10 was smaller and contained, with police detaining several controversial figures to prevent a repeat of the August violence.

Lithuanian security services, including the military and police, have been using drones made by Chinese manufacturer DJI, which dominates around 70 percent of the global market. The LRT Investigation Team found that Lithuania has signed at least 50 contracts for 150 DJI drones since 2018. However, there are growing concerns about data security, as the US and Western Europe have reported that DJI drones may collect sensitive information. The US has banned DJI drones from its market and prohibited its defense institutions from using Chinese-made UAVs. Lithuania's Defence Ministry acknowledges the potential security threat of around 100 Chinese drones in their possession and plans to implement procurement screenings to prevent future purchases from Chinese manufacturers. Despite these concerns, various Lithuanian institutions continue to use DJI drones for their cost-effectiveness and functionality.

The LRT Investigation Team uncovered a human smuggling operation in Lithuania, where individuals, including a businessman named Andrius Velička, were offering illegal transport services to migrants seeking to reach Western Europe. An Iraqi journalist, posing as a migrant, contacted smugglers who demanded payments ranging from 3,000 to 8,000 euros for safe passage. The investigation revealed that around 350 migrants had fled from Lithuanian accommodation centers, with smugglers using social media and encrypted messaging apps to coordinate their activities. The report also touched on the broader context of migrant smuggling in Europe, mentioning Europol's EMSC and the dismantling of a criminal network in Operation Shere Khan.

The article by the LRT Investigation Team delves into the groups and individuals behind a series of rallies in Lithuania in 2021, culminating in the August 10 riot outside the parliament. It identifies three main blocs: the Lithuanian Family Movement (LŠS), the Lithuanian Public Council (LPC), and Patriotic Lithuanians. The LŠS, led by Raimondas Grinevičius, has distanced itself from controversial figures like Marius Gabrilavičius-Maksimalietis and Antanas Kandrotas-Celofanas. The LPC, chaired by Zigmas Vaišvila, is an umbrella for various informal organizations and has been linked to pro-Russian movements. Patriotic Lithuanians, led by Kęstutis Tamašauskas, organized the August 10 rally and has connections to other informal groups promoting resistance and anti-EU/NATO sentiment. The article also touches on the spread of unrest to Latvia and the formation of the Baltic Peoples’ Front, which aims to unite radicals across the Baltic states.

Straipsnyje analizuojama, kaip Lietuvoje bandoma priimti Miškų įstatymo pataisas, kurios suteiktų didiesiems medienos pramonininkams pirmumo teisę įsigyti medieną iš valstybinių miškų. Pataisos kritikuojamos kaip galinčios pažeisti Konstituciją ir tarnauti tik siaurai interesų grupei. LRT Tyrimų skyriaus duomenimis, politikams įtaką daro didieji pramonininkai, o įstatymo pataisos gali sukelti milijoninius nuostolius Valstybinių miškų urėdijai. Pataisų projektas Seime registruotas kelis kartus, pradedant 2013 metais, ir kiekvieną kartą buvo siekiama pirmumo teisės vietos gamintojams. Specialiųjų tyrimų tarnyba, Konkurencijos taryba ir Seimo Teisės departamentas pabrėžia pataisų ydingumą ir galimą naudą tik tam tikroms grupėms. Asociacija 'Lietuvos mediena' veikia per politikus, siekdama pataisų priėmimo, o tai atskleidžia turimi dokumentai ir elektroniniai laiškai.

The article discusses proposed amendments to Lithuania's Forest Law, which aim to favor local wood processors in state-owned timber auctions. Influential Lithuanian wood processors have been lobbying for such legal changes since 2013. The amendments, which were previously deemed unconstitutional, have been influenced by large wood processing companies and associations such as Lietuvos Mediena. The bill suggests prioritizing wood processors that contribute significantly to taxes and social insurance. However, this has raised concerns from various organizations, including the Special Investigations Service and the Competition Council, about favoritism and the undermining of free competition. The article also highlights the involvement of key figures from the wood processing industry in the legislative process and the potential economic impact on the State Forestry Enterprise.

The article investigates the financing of two major real estate projects in Vilnius, Lithuania, revealing that they are backed by pro-Russian political forces in Ukraine, with connections to the ousted president Viktor Yanukovych. The Lithuanian company Baltijos Gildija, along with Ašis, are involved in these projects, with funding traced back to offshore companies such as Koksi Holding in Cyprus and Obelia Industries Inc in the British Virgin Islands. The investigation uncovers that Oksana Kushnir and Volodymyr Kravets, who are linked to these companies, have ties to Yanukovych and are involved in Ukrainian politics. The article also discusses the broader context of money flows from Ukraine to Lithuania, which have increased since the Maidan revolution, and are often associated with financial crimes such as money laundering and tax evasion.

Gintas Kimtys, the interim head of the Science, Innovation and Technology Agency (MITA), is being asked by the Ministry of Economy and Innovation to explain potential unlawful activities, specifically ignoring directives to conduct procurements through the Central Purchasing Organization (CPO). Despite these allegations, Kimtys denies receiving any such orders. Additionally, it has been revealed that Karolina Narkevič, the daughter of former Minister of Transport Jaroslav Narkevič, has been employed at the agency, raising questions about transparency and hiring practices. The Ministry has confirmed reaching out to Kimtys for clarification on possible legal violations related to procurement and human resource management.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Lithuanian government has struggled to create a unified system for managing outbreak data. The National Public Health Center (NVSC) has been criticized for mismanaging the data, resulting in over 800 COVID-19 related deaths being unaccounted for. The NVSC's actions revealed that hospitals were still providing data by hand, leading to questions about the NVSC's competence. The NVSC's director, Robertas Petraitis, pointed to hospitals' delayed reporting as a complicating factor. However, the NVSC's attempt to inventory deaths did not analyze previously received data but instead requested new data from healthcare institutions. The Health Ministry and the Statistics Department have since become more reliant on the e-health system, which is believed to provide more accurate information. The NVSC, which was supposed to unify regional public health centers, remains unintegrated, causing further issues with data collection and management.

The LRT Investigation Team has reported on the outgoing Lithuanian government's practice of filling positions in ministries and state agencies with individuals close to former ruling politicians. The Economy and Innovation Ministry's halted search for a new head of MITA was renewed just before the parliamentary elections, with the outgoing minister aiming to appoint the head before the term ended. Gintas Kimtys, a social democrat, is likely to be appointed. The article also highlights instances where positions were filled without public competition or with lowered requirements, such as Eglė Sakalauskaitė's appointment as head of the Tourism Policy Division and Giedrė Pupšytė's as a senior adviser in the Sustainable Agricultural Production Policy Group. The article suggests these appointments may be influenced by personal connections rather than merit.

Lithuania's state-controlled energy companies, including Ignitis Group, have been purchasing electric cables from Energo-Komplekt, a Belarusian manufacturer that collaborates with Russian nuclear energy corporation Rosatom. Despite Lithuania's opposition to the Astravyets nuclear power plant in Belarus, which is built by Rosatom and considered unsafe by the Lithuanian government, Ignitis Group's subsidiary ESO signed a 5-million-euro contract with Eco Sprendimai for Energo-Komplekt's cables. Ignitis Group claims to follow Lithuanian and EU laws in procurement processes. Security experts express concerns over the risks of doing business with Russian and Belarusian firms due to potential government subsidies that allow them to offer lower prices and penetrate EU markets. The Lithuanian government has sought EU support to block Astravyets NPP's energy, while Ignitis Group maintains that low-value products like cables do not fall under the same national security scrutiny as other strategic purchases.

The article discusses a data leak from Zhenhua Data Information Technology, a Chinese company with alleged links to the government and military, which compiled a database containing personal information on around 500 Lithuanians. The data, which includes details on politicians, diplomats, military personnel, and other citizens, was initially received by American professor Christopher Balding and subsequently analyzed by Australian cybersecurity firm Internet 2.0. The information was shared with LRT, who found that most of the data was publicly available and included extensive details on relatives of state officials. The leak raises concerns about the potential use of this information for exerting pressure or as part of hybrid warfare tactics. The purpose of the database is unclear, but Zhenhua's now-defunct website claimed it provided services for military and foreign propaganda purposes. The Chinese Embassy in Lithuania has been approached for an interview by the LRT Investigation Team.

The recent political debates in Lithuania have been characterized by both preparedness and superficiality, with candidates often resorting to declarations and empty words. Public speaking specialist Igoris Vasiliauskas noted a shift from 2016, with candidates filling airtime regardless of content quality. Political scientist Ieva Petronytė-Urbonavičienė observed the emergence of debate culture in Lithuania, though the format often limits quality discussion. Aušrinė Diržinskaitė from the debate organizing initiative 'Žinau, ką renku' reported increased candidate preparation compared to previous years. The article also touches on the trend of political polarization and the challenges of engaging a broad electorate.

The article discusses a criminal investigation into Lithuania's purchase of half a million rapid Covid-19 tests at inflated prices from the company Profarma, which had little prior government contracting experience. The deal, pushed through by Prime Minister Saulius Skvernelis and his team, involved buying the tests at three times their market value. The funds were transferred to Profarma and then to a newly established firm, Bona Diagnosis, which was responsible for paying the Austrian producer Ameda Labordiagnostik. However, only a fraction of the payment reached Ameda. The investigation has led to the resignation of Health Vice Minister Lina Jaruševičienė and the naming of six suspects. The tests, which were later found to be unsuitable for diagnosing acute Covid-19 infections, remain mostly unused. Other companies had offered the tests at significantly lower prices, but the government did not respond to their proposals.

Lithuania has purchased 0.5 million rapid coronavirus tests, primarily for population screening to determine the percentage of residents who may have had the infection unknowingly. There was initial disagreement among scientists during the quarantine about the use of rapid tests that appeared on the global market in February. Health Minister Aurelijus Veryga stated in April that PCR tests were recommended for population screening due to uncertainties about the reliability of rapid tests. However, research by Vilnius University scientists in May found that serological tests could be used for confirming late-stage infections or past illnesses. The government's decision, led by Veryga, aligns with these findings, indicating that rapid serological tests are sufficiently accurate. These tests can detect antibodies that remain in the body for at least two months after infection and appear in the blood about two weeks from the onset of infection, making them more suitable for checking the extent of past infections compared to molecular PCR tests. Rapid tests can also be used for other purposes, such as indicating current COVID-19 infection, even when PCR tests are negative.

The Lithuanian restaurant chain 'Grill London' is under investigation for allegedly hiding about 200,000 euros in taxes. Restaurant managers acknowledge that unfair competition through tax evasion is a public secret in the industry. The Financial Crimes Investigation Service (FNTT) suggests that around 800,000 euros in taxes are hidden daily during lunch breaks in Lithuania. FNTT and restaurant owners advocate for a unified payment receipt system and computerized cash registers to combat tax evasion. The Hotel and Restaurant Association's vice president supports these measures, and a restaurant director shares her shock at the scale of undeclared income when she entered the industry.

Lithuanian importers and authorities are grappling with the influx of substandard medical supplies from China, including respirators that do not meet the required safety standards. Despite paying up to six times the normal value, Vilnius Municipality received lower-grade masks instead of the ordered FFP3 respirators. The State Consumer Rights Protection Authority (VVTAT) and other officials have encountered forged documents and non-compliant products. The European Commission's relaxed import rules amidst high demand have led to increased incidents of fraud. Local scientists and customs officials have raised concerns about the quality and certification of these products. Meanwhile, Lithuanian medical workers have reported few complaints, despite the issues with the equipment. The global demand for medical supplies has led to a chaotic market, with some Lithuanian importers attempting to profit from the situation by selling substandard equipment.

Lukas Yla, the 29-year-old head of the car-sharing platform CityBee, has been included in the prestigious business magazine Forbes' '30 under 30' list in Europe, becoming the seventh Lithuanian to be ranked among Europe's most talented youth. Forbes highlighted 10 categories, each featuring 30 innovative young individuals. Yla was recognized in the technology category. The list, which has been compiled since 2015, is based on thousands of international nominations and months of research. Yla expressed surprise at the news, which he received via LinkedIn. Previous Lithuanian inclusions in the list include Karolis Misiūnas in 2016 and Daumantas Dvilinskas in 2017. In 2018, Laurynas Jokubaitis, Justas Pikelis, Alesis Novik, and Andrius Šutas were also recognized. Pikelis, a Forbes list alumnus, discussed the benefits of being on the list, including joining the Forbes alumni club and the networking opportunities it provides. He also mentioned a collaboration with Wolfram Research's founder, Steven Wolfram, as a direct benefit of the Forbes listing. Both Yla and Pikelis emphasize the importance of personal development and societal contribution over personal wealth and do not consider themselves successful yet, highlighting the importance of human relationships and personal fulfillment.