Lithuanian special services have uncovered a large agent network of Russia’s Main Intelligence Directorate, whose members were planning contract killings, collecting intelligence on military infrastructure, and preparing arson attacks on equipment intended for shipment to Ukraine, as reported by the Lithuanian Criminal Police Bureau.
The investigation established that the suspects pursued terrorist objectives, and their actions were part of a broader subversive campaign coordinated by Russian special services.
The investigation began in early 2025 after a Russian citizen living in Lithuania discovered a tracking device in his car and contacted the police. It was found that he and another Lithuanian citizen were in real danger — assassination attempts had been planned against them, allegedly due to their political views. The agent network had begun operating as early as summer 2024, using technical surveillance devices to monitor its targets.
The group included citizens of Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Georgia, Latvia, Moldova, and Greece, who either permanently resided in Lithuania or arrived specifically to carry out assigned tasks. The direct perpetrators of the planned assassinations were to be two Greek nationals, one of whom held Russian citizenship and had links to the criminal underworld. They maintained contacts with local criminal structures, consulting on obtaining weapons, escape routes, and ways to conceal traces of the crimes.
The main suspects were detained in Vilnius on March 12, 2025, which allowed investigators to identify the organizers and sponsors of the subversive activity. In early 2026, a joint international operation was carried out covering Poland, Ukraine, and Greece, resulting in searches and arrests.
At present, nine of the thirteen suspects are in custody, while European arrest warrants have been issued for four individuals. Three detainees have already been handed over to Lithuanian authorities, and extradition proceedings for two others are still under consideration. According to the investigation, in addition to assassination attempts, members of the organization also planned sabotage at a military facility and acts of violence against military personnel and civilians on the territory of Ukraine.
