Lithuanian Defense Minister Laurynas Kasciunas stated on Tuesday that Russia is reportedly shifting its troops from the strategically important territory of Kaliningrad on the Baltic coast to the southern Russian region of Kursk. This move comes in the wake of Ukraine's recent incursion into Kursk following a surprise cross-border operation last week.
Kaliningrad, a Russian exclave situated between Poland and Lithuania, has long been a focal point of military significance in the region.
During a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Kasciunas mentioned the alleged troop redeployment, referring to it as the 'demilitarization of Kaliningrad.' However, it remains unclear whether Kasciunas provided any concrete evidence to support his claims during the meeting.
The Lithuanian minister commended Ukraine's actions in Kursk, describing the incursion as 'a good move and a completely new page' in the ongoing conflict.
Ukrainian Ground Forces spokesperson Dmytro Lykhovii confirmed reports of Russian military units being relocated to Kursk from the occupied southern Ukrainian region. Lykhovii noted that while some troops were moved to Kursk, Russia had already amassed a significant number of personnel in the southern Ukrainian Zaporizhzhia region.
