Lithuania’s armed forces have begun their Storm Strike 2025 military exercise in the western part of the country, warning residents of increased movement of troops and equipment. The exercise is part of Thunder Strike 2025, Lithuania’s largest training operation this year, aimed at testing national defence plans and the transition from peace to wartime readiness and coordinating military command posts with local authorities【664576614842904†L133-L140】.

Storm Strike involves professional service members from the Lithuanian Navy and active reservists, and will take place across Klaipėda city and district, Gargždai, Palanga, Kretinga, the Kairiai training area, Klaipėda State Seaport, the Curonian Lagoon, the Curonian Spit and along the entire Baltic coast【664576614842904†L142-L148】. The main phase will be conducted in the Melnragė I area, featuring a landing operation from the Baltic Sea followed by land manoeuvres【664576614842904†L149-L152】. Residents have been cautioned that military vehicles will be on roads and that imitation ammunition, pyrotechnics and explosions may be heard both on land and at sea during the exercise【664576614842904†L153-L155】.