Lithuania's Public And Private Websites Targeted By Massive Russian Cyberattack Over Kaliningrad Transit Blockade

Russian hacker group Killnet claimed responsibility on Monday for the distributed-denial-of-service (DDOS) attack on Lithuania, which targeted a secure national network (file image)  

Daily Mail: Lithuania is hit by cyberattack and says Russia is 'probably' to blame – days after Kaliningrad blockade sparked fury from Putin 

* Lithuania was hit by cyberattack that knocked out public and private websites 

* Russian hacker group Killnet claimed responsibility on Monday for the attack 

* Pro-Kremlin group said cyberattack in response to Lithuania's decision to block EU-sanctioned goods from reaching the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad

Lithuania was today hit by an 'intense' cyberattack that targeted the country's public and private websites, which Russia was 'probably' behind, said Jonas Skardinskas, the head of the National Cybersecurity Center. 

Russian hacker group Killnet claimed responsibility on Monday for at least some of the distributed-denial-of-service (DDOS) attacks on Lithuania, which targeted a secure national network. 

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WNU Editor: NATO is not going to initiate military actions over this .... Could the Russian cyber attack on Lithuania draw a military response from NATO? (SKY News).

 Lithuania's Public And Private Websites Targeted By Massive Russian Cyberattack Over Kaliningrad Transit Blockade  

Cyberattack hits Lithuania after sanctions feud with Russia -- ABC News/AP  

Russian hacker group says cyber attacks continue on Lithuania -- Reuters  

Pro-Russia hackers claim responsibility for ‘intense, ongoing’ cyberattack against Lithuanian websites -- CNN  

Lithuania Targeted by Massive Russian Cyberattack Over Transit Blockade -- Newsweek  

Russian hackers attack Lithuania over Kaliningrad sanctions -- Politico.eu

Tensions Continue To Grow Between Russia And Lithuania Over Rail Transit Ban To Kaliningrad

Lithuanian President Nauseda speaks during an interview in Vilnius. © Reuters/INTS KALNINS  

Reuters: Lithuania: We're ready if Russia cuts us out of common power grid over Kaliningrad disruptions  

VILNIUS (Reuters) - Lithuania will be prepared if Russia disconnects it from the regional power grid in retaliation for blocking rail shipments of some Russian goods to Moscow's Kaliningrad exclave, but no military confrontation is expected, its president told Reuters. 

He spoke after the Kremlin warned Lithuania on Tuesday that Moscow would respond to the ban on the transit of goods sanctioned by the EU to Kaliningrad in such a way that citizens of the Baltic state would feel the pain. 

With relations between Moscow and the West at a half-century low over Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Lithuania banned the transit of goods sanctioned by the European Union across its territory to and from Kaliningrad, citing EU sanction rules.  

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Tensions Continue To Grow Between Russia And Lithuania Over Rail Transit Ban To Kaliningrad

Moscow threatens NATO member Lithuania over transit ban on goods to Russia's European exclave Kaliningrad -- CBS  

Russia threatens ‘serious consequences’ as Lithuania blocks rail goods -- The Guardian 

Lithuania infuriated Russia by blocking coal and metals from accessing a crucial city -- Insider  

Moscow and NATO could be about to clash over Russia’s European exclave Kaliningrad -- CNBC

Why Kaliningrad, Russia’s toehold in Europe, could be the next flashpoint in its war against Ukraine -- Tim Lister and Rob Picheta, CNN  

Lithuania ready to expand Kaliningrad blockade – president -- RT

Russia Threatens Lithuania Of 'Serious Consequences' If It Does Not Lift Its Train Blockade Of Russian Goods To Kaliningrad (Update)

 

The Guardian: Russia threatens ‘serious consequences’ as Lithuania blocks rail goods 

Row escalates over Vilnius’s refusal to allow steel and iron ore to cross Russian enclave of Kaliningrad 

The head of the Kremlin’s security council has threatened the “population of Lithuania” in an escalation of the row over Lithuanian railway’s refusal to allow some goods to cross to the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad. 

After a meeting in the region, which is wedged between Lithuania and Poland, 800 miles from Moscow, Nikolai Patrushev, a close ally to Vladimir Putin, upped the rhetoric by threatening “serious consequences”. 

“Russia will certainly respond to such hostile actions,” Patrushev said. “Appropriate measures … will be taken in the near future … Their consequences will have a serious negative impact on the population of Lithuania.”  

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WNU Editor: Russia is not bluffing.

Russia Threatens Lithuania Of 'Serious Consequences' If It Does Not Lift Its Train Blockade Of Russian Goods To Kaliningrad (Update) 

Russia warns Lithuania of 'consequences' over blocked rail to enclave -- Reuters  

Moscow Vows ‘Serious Consequences’ for Lithuania Over Kaliningrad Rail Ban -- Moscow Times  

Russia Demands Lithuania Lift "Openly Hostile" Blockade; Panic Buying Ensues -- Zero Hedge  

Russia Protests Transit Block To Kaliningrad, Threatens 'Retaliation' Against Lithuania -- RTE  

Russia threatens retaliation after Lithuania bans goods in transit to Kaliningrad -- FOX News  

Russia warns Lithuania its citizens will feel the pain over Kaliningrad, EU calls for de-escalation -- ABC News Australia  

Russia Conducts Baltic Sea Missile Exercise as Tensions Rise With Lithuania -- Newsweek  

Why is Kaliningrad at the centre of a row between Russia and Lithuania? -- The Guardian  

Why Kaliningrad, Russia's toehold in Europe, could be the next flashpoint in its war against Ukraine -- CNN  

Why is Lithuania risking Russia’s wrath over Kaliningrad? -- Defense News

Russia Warns NATO Member Lithuania To Lift Kaliningrad Rail Transit Blockade

Reuters: Russia warns NATO-member Lithuania over Kaliningrad transit 

 LONDON (Reuters) - Russia warned NATO member Lithuania on Monday that unless the transit of goods to Russia's Kaliningrad exclave on the Baltic Sea was swiftly restored then Moscow would take undisclosed measures to defend its national interests. 

With east-west relations at a half-century low over Russia's Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine, Vilnius banned the transit of goods sanctioned by the European Union through Lithuanian territory to and from the exclave, citing EU sanction rules. 

Russia's foreign ministry summoned Lithuania's top envoy in Moscow to deliver a protest while the Kremlin said the situation was beyond serious. 

"The situation is more than serious," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters. "This decision is really unprecedented. It's a violation of everything." Russia's foreign ministry demanded Vilnius reverse what it cast as an "openly hostile" move immediately. 

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Russia Warns NATO Member Lithuania To Lift Kaliningrad Rail Transit Blockade  

Russia condemns Lithuania transit ban on some goods to Kaliningrad -- The Guardian  

Russia Threatens To Retaliate as Lithuania Bans Rail Transit to Kaliningrad -- Moscow Times/AFP  

Moscow Reels, Lashes Out At Lithuania Over Kaliningrad Cutoff -- RFE 

Anger as Lithuania bans transit of goods to Russia exclave Kaliningrad -- Euronews  

Russia demands Lithuania lift Kaliningrad transit ban immediately -- Euractiv

Russia Threatened Lithuania with Retaliation for Refusing to Transit Goods to Kaliningrad -- Novinite  

Russia warns Lithuania over Kaliningrad goods restrictions -- Al Jazeera  

What EU blockade means for Russia’s Kaliningrad -- RT

Lithuanian Bans The Transit Of Russian Goods To Kaliningrad Effective Immediately

RFE: Lithuania Bans Transit Of Sanctioned Russian Goods To Kaliningrad 

Lithuania has begun a ban on the rail transit of goods subject to European Union sanctions to the Russian far-western exclave of Kaliningrad, transport authorities in the Baltic nation said on June 18. 

The EU sanctions list includes coal, metals, construction materials, and advanced technology. 

Anton Alikhanov, the governor of the Russian oblast, said the ban would cover around 50 percent of the items that Kaliningrad imports. 

Alikhanov said the region, which has an ice-free port on the Baltic Sea, will call on Russian federal authorities to take tit-for-tat measures against the EU country for imposing the ban. He said he would also seek to have more goods sent by ship to the oblast.  

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Update #1: Lithuania Says Sanctions on Goods to Kaliningrad Take Effect -- Reuters  

Update #2: Lithuania enforces EU sanctions on goods to Russia’s Kaliningrad -- Al Jazeera  

WNU Editor: Lithuania is a polarized country over Russia's war in Ukraine .... Why Lithuania is polarised over Russia's war in Ukraine (Euronews).

Russian Halts Electricity Imports To Lithuania

As @NordPool_energy stops trading Russian #electricity today, #Lithuania, Latvia & Estonia are effectively ending their remaining few electricity imports from the aggressor. Earlier, the #BalticStates embargoed Russian oil & gas. Our taxpayers refuse to finance #RussiaWarCrimes pic.twitter.com/BWf2qNRAV2

— LTembassyCZ/CH (@ltembassycz) May 22, 2022

RT: Russia halts electricity supply to another EU country 

Exports to Lithuania were stopped due to the nation’s "inability" to pay 

Russia has stopped supplying power to Lithuania, the country’s electricity transmission system operator Litgrid announced on Sunday. 

Inter RAO, which was the only importer of electricity from Russia to Lithuania, confirmed the suspension of deliveries. Earlier this month, Inter RAO’s Nordic branch also stopped supplying electricity to Finland. 

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Russian Halts Electricity Imports To Lithuania  

Russian Electricity Imports Halted To Another EU Nation -- Zero Hedge  

Lithuania Announces Cessation Of Russian Oil, Gas And Electricity Imports From May 22 -- Republic World  

Lithuania claims victory in ditching Russian energy -- The National  

Baltics give up Russian electricity after Nord Pool suspends trade -- Baltic Times

Lithuania Warns That Russia Could Attack With 24 Hours Notice

FOX News: Russia has forced nations to reshape military strategy, Lithuanian diplomat says

Like much of Europe, Lithuania – one of three Baltic states -- is on alert over growing concerns about Russia and its increasingly brazen military exercises but also the moves that are not as visible: Cyber steps that can take place via a keyboard or a mobile app.

On Monday, Lithuania's intelligence service said in its annual threat assessment that Russia now is capable of attacking the Baltic states with little notice, giving NATO allied forces limited opportunity to respond.

Last year, President Dalia Grybauskaite reintroduced the military draft – which the country suspended in 2008 – attributing it to “the current geopolitical environment.” The new policy calls for the recruitment of some 3,500 men annually.

The concerns in the Baltic States intensified in 2014, when under President Vladimir Putin, Russia annexed Crimea.

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WNU Editor: The Kremlin is not impressed with these Lithuanian concerns .... ‘Hysterical Russophobia’: Moscow blasts Lithuanian report on numerous Russian ‘threats’ (RT). More here .... Kremlin slams Lithuanian secret services’ report as ‘total anti-Russian hysteria’ (TASS).

More News On Lithuanian Concerns Over Russia

Lithuania warns Russia could attack 'with 24 hours notice' -- Euronews
Lithuania Says Russia Has Ability to Launch Baltic Attack in 24 Hours -- Reuters
Baltic States Think Russia Preps to Attack -- Scout
Lithuania warns Russia has ability to launch Baltic attack with as little as 24 hours' notice -- Daily Mail
President Grybauskaite: Lithuania is ready to defend itself -- Baltic Times
Lithuania fears Russian propaganda is prelude to eventual invasion -- The Guardian
Lithuanian intelligence report in short – six key threats -- Baltic Course

Lithuania Warns Its Citizens To Be Prepared For A Russian Invasion

IBTimes: War In Europe: Lithuania Prepares For Russian Invasion As NATO Sends Troops To Eastern European States

More than two years after Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine, Lithuania is warning its citizens of a possible similar fate in the former Soviet Union republic. Lithuanian government officials have published tens of thousands of copies of a 75-page guide on how to survive a Russian invasion, BBC News reported Saturday.

The civil defense booklet stresses that Russia is capable of using military force against its neighbors to get its way and warns civilians to call a government hotline to report anyone suspected of being a spy. It also informs Lithuanians on how to spot Russian tanks and mines.

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WNU Editor: Apparently the gurilla manual that the Lithuanian government is distributing is recommending that its citizens pack condoms in the event of a Russian invasion. Condoms?

More News On Lithuania Warning Its Citizens To Be Prepared For A Russian Invasion

Lithuania issues booklets to citizens about how to deal with Russian invasion -- The Independent
Lithuania issues updated Russian invasion advice booklets -- BBC
'Russia WILL invade Lithuania' Leaders tell people to prepare for guerrilla war on streets -- Express
Dress warm, pack condoms, hide: Lithuania writes guerilla manual for Russian invasion -- RT

Is Lithuania About To Invade Russia?

Lithuania's Army soldiers march during independence restoration celebrations in Vilnius March 11, 2009. Ints Kalnins/Reuters

Newsweek: Hackers post bogus plan to attack Russia on Lithuanian Defence Ministry site

An announcement that Lithuania is preparing a joint attack alongside Estonia, Latvia and Poland on the neighbouring Russian enclave of Kaliningrad appeared on the Lithuania's armed forces' official site yesterday after it was subject to an apparent cyber attack.

Lithuania and its Baltic neighbours have been among the countries most concerned by Russia's annexation of Crimea as they all have sizeable Russian speaking populations. While Lithuania's Russian population is by far the smallest of the three, it borders the heavily armed, strategic Russian territory of Kaliningrad and the Kremlin's military activity around it has kept Lithuania's security forces on high alert.

Update #1: NATO is Ready to Snatch Kaliningrad From Russia – Lithuanian Media -- Sputnik
Update #2: Lithuanian Military Website Hacked to Suggest Invasion of Russia -- Moscow Times

WNU Editor: Lituania is not going to invade Russia .... but they are preparing to handle "internal" problems .... The Russians Are Coming: Lithuania's Operation Lightning Strike (Vice News).

Lithuania Prints A Manual On "How To Survive A Russian Invasion'

Reuters: Worried about Russia? Lithuania says 'Keep calm and read the war manual'

Update: Lithuania prints ‘Russian invasion’ survival manual -- RT

WNU Editor: Here is a sample of what is in the manual ....

.... “Keep a sound mind, don’t panic and don’t lose clear thinking,” the manual advises. “Gunshots just outside your window are not the end of the world.”

You just cannot make this up.