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Lithuania plans key substation near Russia, fortified against explosive drones
Lithuania is planning drone defenses at the Gizai substation, a crucial node in the Harmony Link connecting Baltic grids to Europe. Located 30 km from Kaliningrad, the facility will feature hardened fencing and concrete 'sarcophagi' for transformers to withstand potential drone strikes.
Litgrid CEO Andrius Semeskevicius said the design addresses a 'new reality,' protecting against multiple Shahed drones carrying 100 kilograms of explosives. The 35-hectare site spreads equipment to limit damage from hits, while custom-made concrete provides reinforced resistance against attacks.
Intelligence sources warn Russia could target the region with false flag attacks to test NATO unity, causing rising sabotage concerns near the Suwalki Gap. Tensions increased this month after Berlin blamed Moscow for sabotage attacks against Germany's electricity grid.
Energy Minister Lukas Savickas said Lithuania will seek EU funding for the Gizai substation, which costs at least €48 million more than planned. Poland's deputy energy minister Wojciech Wrochna urged the European Union to boost financing.
Last year, the Baltic states and Poland requested €382 million for grid security but received only €112 million from the European Union. Officials warn this interconnection is a vital lifeline for power stability, and countries risk losing competitiveness by shouldering these costs alone.
Lithuania has prepared evacuation plans in the face of a growing threat from Russia, but will “not give up” under attack, Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius said in an interview with British public broadcaster BBC Newsweek.