Tensions along the Nemunas River near the Lithuanian town of Panemune are palpable, marked by the display of Lithuanian, Ukrainian, and European Union flags on one side, while a Russian flag and an illuminated symbol of support for the Russian military dominate the opposing city of Sovetsk. Since 2022, vehicle access across the Queen Louise Bridge, which connects Lithuania to Russia’s Kaliningrad region, has been prohibited, and concrete anti-tank barriers have been installed, signaling heightened security measures. Local resident Titas Paulkstelis recalls a time when cross-border travel was commonplace, allowing residents to shop for cheaper goods on either side. Recent military activities in the region, including instances of rapid gunfire and drone sightings, contribute to a climate of unease among the residents, particularly given their proximity to key military installations and strategic locations within the ongoing geopolitical tensions between NATO and Russia.
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