Nausėda considers Wagner soldiers in Belarus serious threat, doesn't rule out provocations against Lithuania, Poland, Latvia

This is reported by the LRT broadcaster. 

"From the moment the first reports appeared that the Wagner PMC militants could be deployed in Belarus, I immediately said that we cannot rule out such a threat," he emphasized.

He does not rule out possible provocations against Lithuania, Poland, and Latvia.

"Even if the main scenarios are different or we want to assume that these scenarios are different and that maybe the Wagner Group will be sent to Africa or other places, it is really very tempting to be here, close to our border, so that our presence is not used for various provocations. So I think the threat is serious," the Lithuanian president said.

According to him, Lithuania's actions in this regard have been frozen for a long time. However, after the Wagner PMC mutiny in Russia, Lithuania took additional security measures, so now "the situation is under control, and intelligence is being strengthened."

"There are also no obstacles for the Lithuanian army to come to the aid of the border guards (if necessary). This will definitely be done," Nausėda added.

How the Wagner soldiers ended up in Belarus

After the mutiny of Wagner PMC leader Yevgeny Prigozhin in late June, the Kremlin announced the relocation of Wagner mercenaries to Belarus.

On June 27, self-proclaimed President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko confirmed the arrival of Yevgeny Prigozhin in the country. According to him, Wagner mercenaries  who arrived with him will not guard the Russian tactical nuclear weapons deployed there. However, Lukashenko emphasized that he expects the mercenaries to help in the defense of Belarus, without specifying the potential source of the country's perceived threat.

On June 29, a satellite recorded the construction of a tent camp near Asipovichy in the Mogilev region of Belarus, and on July 3, Russian media published a photo of an alleged Wagner camp.

On July 11, the Belarusian Ministry of Defense stated that the Wagner mercenaries would train the Belarusian army.

On July 14, media reported that training sessions with units of the territorial troops were taking place near Asipovichy (Belarus), where Wagner PMC fighters were acting as instructors in some military disciplines.

On the morning of July 15, a large convoy of cars and trucks with license plates of the so-called DPR and LPR was spotted in Belarus. Ukraine’s State Border Guard Service confirmed that those were mercenaries of the Wagner PMC.

On Sunday, July 16, the Belarusian Hajun monitoring group reported that two flags - of Russia and the Wagner PMC - had been installed at the checkpoint on the border between Belarus and Russia.

Wagner Group announced that on July 30, their main base in the Russian Federation, located in the village of Molkino in Krasnodar Krai, would be closed.

On July 19, Wagner PMC financier Yevgeny Prigozhin addressed Wagner fighters in Belarus, calling the situation at the front a "disgrace" and urging mercenaries to "wait for the moment to show their full potential."

As of the morning of July 20, Wagner mercenaries continued to arrive in Belarus, but did not pose a threat to Ukraine.

Later, on July 23, self-appointed President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko announced the desire of the mercenaries from the Russian Wagner PMC to "go on an excursion" to Poland. The same day, it was reported that the tenth column of Wagner's mercenaries, which included at least ten pieces of equipment, had arrived in Belarus.

The ISW stated that there is no evidence that Wagner's mercenaries in Belarus have the heavy weapons necessary for a serious offensive against Ukraine or Poland.

On July 25, the 11th column of Wagner's mercenaries arrived in Belarus, this time with armored vehicles. The convoy included at least 29 vehicles. It was also revealed  who led them in Belarus.

On July 27, the National Resistance Center reported that Wagner PMC units were looking for people in Belarus who were ready to fight against Lithuania and Poland. Also the same day Belarusian Hajun monitoring group reported that the twelfth column of Wagner's PMC, which included at least 50 pieces of equipment, had arrived in Belarus.

On July 28, 13th convoy of mercenaries with at least 80 vehicles arrived in Belarus.

On July 29, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki announced that more than 100 Wagner fighters had gone to the Suwalki corridor.

On July 31, it became known that the Wagner PMC had suspended the work of its regional recruitment centers "indefinitely." And Prigozhin revoked the vacations of employees and ordered them to arrive in Belarus by August 5.