By decision of the Minister of Internal Affairs Vladislav Kondratovic, an inter-institutional working group has been created, which will have to present an updated response algorithm to possible incidents while ensuring the security of the Kaliningrad special transit scheme.
According to the Minister of Internal Affairs, in order to completely prevent any possible incidents of any kind in the future
- escapes, provocations or sabotage attacks
- it is necessary to fundamentally review the security measures applied in legislation and practice during the transit of passengers from/to the Kaliningrad region. "The latest incident, when a Russian citizen left a transit train, shows that the response algorithm is not working properly. In addition, the changed geopolitical situation in our region and the increasingly frequent Russian hybrid operations encourage us to take new decisions in order to ensure the security of the special transit scheme. Our responsible services must promptly exchange information and be maximally prepared to respond to incidents of any kind" emphasizes Minister V. Kondratovic.
Public security services have already prepared a set of new proposals for the inter-institutional working group on how to strengthen the security of the Special Transit Scheme. It is proposed to clarify with "Lithuanian Railways" the technical possibilities of transmitting a signal to the police in real time about the open doors of moving trains. In such cases, police officers would be able to detect the exact location of the incident and respond immediately. It will also be considered to additionally install video surveillance and other detection devices on the locomotive, with the help of which the entire train composition would be monitored. One of the proposals is to review the liability for leaving a train in transit through the territory of the Republic of Lithuania.
Currently, Kaliningrad transit is carried out on the basis of the current agreement between the European Union and Russia and the obligations defined therein. State Border Guard Service officers at Border Checkpoints perform document checks on Russian passengers travelling via simplified transit. During the checks, it is ensured that unverified/absconding persons do not enter the country and that all persons travelling in formation are checked in accordance with the requirements set out in the Schengen Borders Code.
Russian citizens intending to travel through Lithuania must not pose a threat to national security, must not be included in wanted lists, must have valid and appropriate documents and visas or a special permit allowing transit, etc.
The list of passengers is obtained in advance from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the risk assessment begins even before the passengers arrive by train. Passenger transit is monitored from the state border to Kybartai and Kena. If necessary, a VSAT helicopter is used to escort trains, respond to incidents, or search for missing persons. The Police and the Public Security Service conduct patrols, prevent incidents, and respond to incidents.