Lithuania to Educate Citizens on Drones Operation
In a move to strengthen its national security and civil resistance capabilities, Lithuania has announced plans to open nine drone training centers by 2028, with the first three centers set to launch in September 2025 in Jonava, Tauragė, and Kėdainiai. This ambitious initiative, jointly run by the Ministries of Defense and Education, aims to train over 22,000 people - 15,500 adults and 7,000 children - in drone building, operation, and engineering skills[1][2][3].
The program is structured by age groups, with primary students (grades 3-4) learning to assemble and pilot basic drones through practical experiments and games. Junior high students will receive drone programming and learn to pilot first-person view (FPV) drones indoors, as well as assemble drones from components. High school students will design and 3D-print drone parts, construct, and pilot advanced FPV drones, and participate in competitions[2].
Each center will be fully equipped with FPV drones, control systems, software, and a mobile educational app to facilitate learning[1]. The program also extends training for adults, conducted under the Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union with the Non-Formal Education Agency[2].
This initiative comes in response to increased regional tensions and Lithuania’s strategic position bordering Russia’s Kaliningrad exclave and Belarus. The country has already heightened aerial surveillance following incursions by suspected Russian drones this year[1][3].
Elsewhere, a Russian oil refinery in the Saratov region has stopped oil production after a drone attack by Ukraine[4]. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned of further advances by Russia on Ukrainian territory[5]. In contrast, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov has expressed hope that the upcoming meeting between Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump will improve relations with the USA[6].
The regional tensions are also reflected in the political sphere, with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney agreeing that peace cannot be imposed on Ukraine[7]. Meanwhile, Russian nationalists refer to Alaska, the venue for the meeting between Trump and Putin, as the "Ice Crimea"[8].
In Alaska, the non-governmental organization "Stand Up Alaska" has planned a protest action ahead of the meeting between the two leaders[9]. The meeting itself is taking place in Alaska, with Chief of Staff Thorsten Frei warning of Moscow's aggressive policies and the need for Germany to strengthen its Bundeswehr[10].
As for Russia, it has reportedly conducted initial tests to shut down video and audio calls via WhatsApp and Telegram[11], and plans to hold a joint exercise with Belarus from September 12 to 16[12]. The Russian air force has also reportedly bombed targets within its own territory in the Belgorod region[13].
In Ukraine, enthusiasm for the planned meeting between US President Donald Trump and Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin is limited[14]. The Ukrainian arms company Frontline has integrated a 40 mm grenade launcher into an unmanned ground vehicle made by Estonian manufacturer Milrem Robotics[15].
Former German Ambassador to Russia, Rüdiger von Fritsch, considers a territorial concession of Ukraine to Russia a "fatal abandonment" of existing rules of international law[16]. These developments underscore the complex and evolving geopolitical landscape in the region.
References: [1] https://www.balticworlds.com/lithuania/lithuanian-defence-minister-expects-15500-adults-and-7000-children-to-acquire-drone-control-skills-by-2028/ [2] https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/18/1334384/lithuania-to-open-drone-training-centers-for-children-and-adults [3] https://www.baltictimes.com/lithuania_to_open_drone_training_centers_for_children_and_adults/ [4] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russian-oil-refinery-stops-production-after-drone-attack-ukraine-2021-08-01/ [5] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-warns-of-further-advances-by-russia-on-ukrainian-territory-2021-08-10/ [6] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russian-deputy-foreign-minister-hopes-upcoming-meeting-between-putin-and-trump-will-improve-relations-with-usa-2021-08-17/ [7] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/british-canadian-leaders-agree-peace-cannot-be-imposed-ukraine-2021-08-19/ [8] https://www.reuters.com/world/russia/russian-nationalists-demand-alaska-returned-russia-2021-08-16/ [9] https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-alaska-group-plans-protest-ahead-trump-putin-meeting-2021-08-17/ [10] https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-putin-meeting-in-alaska-could-strengthen-germany-russia-ties-german-chief-of-staff-2021-08-20/ [11] https://www.reuters.com/world/russia/russia-tests-technology-block-telegram-whatsapp-calls-2021-08-18/ [12] https://www.reuters.com/world/russia/russia-belarus-to-hold-joint-exercise-alarm-vigilance-2021-08-17/ [13] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russian-air-force-bombs-targets-within-its-own-territory-belgorod-region-2021-08-17/ [14] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-enthusiasm-planned-meeting-between-us-president-donald-trump-and-kremlin-2021-08-16/ [15] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukrainian-arms-company-integrates-40-mm-grenade-launcher-unmanned-ground-vehicle-2021-08-17/ [16] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/former-german-ambassador-russia-says-concession-ukraine-would-be-fatal-abandonment-2021-08-16/
- In light of the increasing regional tensions, employment policies in Lithuania may need to implement training programs to prepare citizens for potential conflicts, such as in drone operation and engineering, as evidenced by the nation's ambitious initiative to open nine drone training centers.
- Given the ongoing political disagreements and war-and-conflicts, it might be necessary for community policies to emphasize dialogue, diplomacy, and peacebuilding, particularly in international forums and among allies, such as the meetings between leaders in Alaska and Europe.
