On January 22, 2026, Lithuanian police launched a preliminary investigation after the mayor of the Lazdijai district, Ausma Miškinienė, filed a complaint over the circulation of false information linked to plans for a military training range near the town of Kapčiamiestis. A fabricated document dated January 19, bearing a forged signature of the mayor, claimed that local authorities were imposing temporary restrictions on assemblies, protests, and other public events because of the proposed range.
Miškinienė publicly denied the document’s authenticity, stating that no such order had ever existed. In a social media post, she urged law enforcement to identify those responsible for spreading the false claims and to take appropriate legal action. She stressed her continued support for peaceful public gatherings and the right of residents to freely express their views and engage in open debate.
Security rationale behind the Kapčiamiestis training range
Lithuania’s Ministry of National Defence has argued that the proposed training range is driven by clear security needs, citing the strategic location near the Suwałki Corridor, widely regarded as one of NATO’s most vulnerable points. The area is seen as suitable for strengthening Lithuania’s defence capabilities, particularly at a time when the armed forces face a shortage of modern training facilities.
The final decision on establishing the range still requires approval by the Seimas during its spring session. While some local residents oppose the project, national authorities maintain that the initiative is aimed at improving operational readiness rather than restricting civilian life.
Democratic procedures versus fabricated restrictions
Lithuanian officials underline that all decisions related to the training range are being taken within the framework of national law and democratic process. Parliamentary debate, public consultations, and engagement with local communities remain central to the procedure. The mayor’s rejection of the fake document was framed as evidence that no curbs on civil liberties have been imposed.
President Gitanas Nausėda has previously met with residents of Kapčiamiestis to explain the government’s position, emphasizing transparency and dialogue. Authorities argue that this approach fundamentally differs from practices associated with authoritarian systems, where dissent is routinely suppressed by administrative orders.
Suspected foreign interference and hybrid tactics
Although the investigation is at an early stage, Lithuanian officials have not ruled out the involvement of foreign actors. On January 12, President Nausėda publicly suggested that Russia may be encouraging the spread of disinformation around the proposed training range. Russian and Belarusian media outlets have previously amplified narratives portraying the project as a source of mass unrest, focusing on fears of environmental damage and alleged state repression.
Lithuanian security experts view the fake document as part of a broader pattern of hybrid pressure aimed at undermining trust in state institutions. Similar campaigns seek to pit local communities against central authorities, testing how quickly democratic systems respond to non-military threats.
A wider test of resilience on NATO’s eastern flank
The disinformation surrounding Kapčiamiestis is seen by officials as linked to the broader confrontation between Russia and the West amid the war in Ukraine. Lithuania’s consistent support for Kyiv and its advocacy of strict sanctions and defence policies have made it a frequent target of hostile narratives.
By spreading fabricated claims about civil rights restrictions, hostile actors aim to create an illusion of internal division and instability. Lithuanian authorities argue that early exposure and neutralization of such information attacks are essential, particularly as the Baltic states assess their vulnerability in the post-war security environment. Detailed reporting on the case was published by LRT.
