Russia is allegedly moving beyond hybrid attacks and pressure on European countries toward direct preparations for an attack, former Lithuanian Defense Minister Dovile Sakaliene claimed at a security forum in Poland.

Among the signs of these alleged preparations, Sakaliene pointed to tunnels being dug beneath national borders. She claimed that some of these underground passages could allow hundreds of migrants to cross within just a few hours and warned that they might eventually be used for purposes other than transporting migrants.

The former minister also asserted that the number of such tunnels is growing, their capacity is increasing, and the techniques used to construct them are becoming more advanced.

Germany was another focus of her remarks. Sakaliene reported the discovery of weapons caches on German territory and linked Russia’s alleged growing interest in the country to Germany’s importance for European security.

She also raised concerns about a reported increase in suspicious incidents involving Europe’s defense industry. According to Sakaliene, four incidents potentially connected to Russia had been recorded over several years before this summer. Since August 3, however, another nine incidents have allegedly occurred across six EU countries.

Turning to Russia’s military capabilities, the former Lithuanian defense minister argued that the Russian armed forces have undergone major changes over recent decades and accumulated extensive combat experience. She also claimed that the size of Russia’s military is approaching five million personnel.

Sakaliene acknowledged that Russia continues to implement military reforms despite the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. She noted that Russian defense industries are developing faster than their European counterparts in certain areas, although European countries have begun narrowing the gap in others.

The former minister maintained that Russia’s ultimate objective is to attack the European Union, presenting the alleged border tunnels, weapons caches, defense industry incidents and expanding military capabilities as signs of preparations for such a confrontation.