Lithuania has expelled three Ukrainian citizens whom local intelligence services deemed a threat to national security. According to Lithuanian intelligence, the Ukrainians carried out tasks for foreign intelligence services in exchange for monetary compensation. All three had their temporary residence permits revoked and were banned from returning to the country for five years.
This was reported on November 4 by Lithuanian public broadcaster LRT, citing the State Security Department of Lithuania (VSD).
According to the department, three Ukrainian citizens received assignments from intelligence services of hostile states via Telegram and other messengers. They were paid monetary rewards for carrying out the tasks.
The State Security Department submitted conclusions about the activities of these individuals to the migration service. Based on the information received, the Ukrainians were deemed a threat to national security, after which their residence permits were revoked.
Lithuanian Interior Minister Martinas Katelinas said that the Ukrainians collected information about strategically important objects and conducted video filming. According to him, such information could potentially be used to prepare sabotage and other actions against state security.
The minister emphasized that such activities are incompatible with the legal stay of foreigners in Lithuania.
Lithuanian intelligence services did not disclose the identities of the expelled Ukrainians and did not specify which countries' intelligence services gave them assignments. It is also not reported whether criminal charges were filed against these citizens.
The State Security Department warned that foreign intelligence services are increasingly using social networks and messengers to recruit people abroad.
According to the department's assessment, this method allows intelligence services to find potential operatives without significant financial and organizational costs. At the same time, responsibility for the consequences of unlawful actions is effectively shifted onto the recruited individuals.
Lithuanian intelligence urged residents of the country to report suspicious job offers related to collecting information or carrying out assignments from unknown persons. The department stressed that timely contact with law enforcement can prevent recruitment, blackmail, and other threats.
