Lithuania sends back 68-year-old Russian who entered via Nemunas River
Lithuanian border guards detained a 68-year-old Russian who arrived by boat from Kaliningrad and, after refusing his asylum request, returned him to Russia.
A 68-year-old Russian citizen entered Lithuania by boat on the Nemunas River from Kaliningrad and was intercepted by border guards in Pagėgiai municipality at about 13:50. He requested political asylum, but State Border Guard Service spokesman Giedrius Mišutis said no pre-trial investigation existed and no one outlet indicated any danger or special status. Interior Minister Martynas Katelynas wrote that the authorities declined his entry, treating him like individuals refused from Belarus.
After ensuring he had dry clothes and was medically checked, the man was sent back to Russia via the Panemunė border checkpoint after 19:00. Officials emphasized that he was not classified as a vulnerable person and therefore was not admitted to the European Union.
Why it matters
The case shows Lithuania's strict stance on asylum claims from Russia amid ongoing regional tensions.
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