Lithuania's capital, just 150 km from Russia, turned into a fortress ahead of NATO summit
NATO has turned Vilnius into a fortress defended by advanced weaponry to protect US President Joe Biden and other alliance leaders who will meet next week just 32 km from Lithuania's barbed-wire-covered border fence with Russia's ally Belarus, Reuters reports, cited by news.ro.
Sixteen NATO allies have sent a total of 1,000 troops to protect the 11-12 July summit, which will take place just 151 km from Russia. Many of them are also providing advanced air defence systems that the Baltic states lack. Germany has deployed 12 Patriot missile launchers, used to intercept ballistic and cruise missiles or warplanes.
Spain has brought a NASAMS air defence system, France is sending Caesar self-propelled howitzers, France, Finland and Denmark are sending their military aircraft to Lithuania, and the UK and France are providing anti-drone capabilities.
Poland and Germany send special operations forces equipped with helicopters.
Other allies are sending equipment to deal with any potential chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear attacks.
